STORM

(Systematic & Organised Module)

A Helpful Module
On Writing
for Upper Secondary Level

JABATAN PELAJARAN NEGERI

KELANTAN

PREFACE
MODUL PECUTAN AKADEMIK is an effort made by Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri
Kelantan to assist both teachers and students in the teaching and learning
process. By using the module prepared by the committee, it is hoped that there
will also be a marked improvement in the students academic performance,
resulting in a better achievement in both the school and national examinations.
MODUL PECUTAN AKADEMIK untuk BAHASA INGGERIS SPM, known as STORM
(Systematic & Organised Module) focuses mainly on all the writing skills involved
in the syllabus of forms 4 and 5, which the students will later be tested in the SPM
examination. They are as follows:
Directed Writing
Continuous Writing
Summary Writing
Writing for the Novel
This module consists of tips on answering questions pertaining to the skills
concerned. In addition, there are sample answers given, some questions to be
used as practice in the classroom, as homework or even as a weekend
assignment. All the materials are carefully selected to cater to the needs of
students who are average in proficiency. This is mainly due to the hope that they
will be able to improve their proficiency and later perform better in examinations.
Being a systematic and organised module, STORM is a useful guide that is
helpful to both new and experienced teachers. It is user-friendly and formatted in
such a way that it is easy for printing purposes.
The state education department of Kelantan wishes very much to see that all the
teachers of upper secondary level in all the schools in the state will utilize the
module for the benefit of their students.
GOOD LUCK IN USING STORM !
2

STORM COMMITTEE
FOR
SPM 2011

SUPERVISOR

: EN. NOR AZIZI B. SULAIMAN

(HEAD DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ENGLISH
LANGUAGE, JPN KELANTAN)

ADVISOR

: PN. AZALINA MOHD YUSOFF

GROUP LEADER

: EN. KUMANNAN A/L SATHASIVAM

SECRETARY

: PN. NIK NORLIZA BT NIK ISMAIL

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

: PN. HAMIDAH BT. ABDUL HAMID

PN. KELOE A/P EH TONG
EN. MOHAMAD FARIS B. IBRAHIM
EN. AHMAD SHAHRUL AZHAN B. IBRAHIM
EN. EH BOON LI A/L EH AWANG
EN. CHUA HOCK HUA

CONTENT
1. Directed Writing

(Pages 6-32)

2. Continuous Writing

(Pages 33-40)

3. Narrative Writing

(Pages 41-49)

4. Descriptive Writing

(Pages 50-63)

5. Argumentative Writing(Pages 64-69)

6. Summary Writing

(Pages 70-94)

7. Writing for the Novel (Pages 95-99)

8. Samples Answers

(Pages 100-110)

PRACTICE
MAKES
PERFECT
WRITING!

DIRECTED
WRITING

INTRODUCTION TO DIRECTED WRITING MODULE

Write, write and write! Directed Writing practice should not be
much of a problem to students because it is actually an
extension of guided writing at the lower secondary level. In this
module, students are exposed to the techniques of writing
systematically on all aspects of directed writing:

ARTICLE

-Newspaper
-Magazine
-Brochure

REPORT
-Book report
-Newspaper
report
-Report to
someone

SPEECH/TALK
-Public speaking
-to bid farewell
-to welcome
-debate

DIRECTED
WRITING
FORMATS

INFORMAL
LETTER

FORMAL
LETTER

-to a family
member/relative
-to a friend
-to a pen pal

-application

-complaint
-enquiry

Helpful Notes on Writing a Formal Letter

MODEL OF A FORMAL LETTER
SENDERS NAME
SENDERS ADDRESS
RECIPIENTS NAME
RECIPIENTS ADDRESS
DATE
SOLUTATION
HEADING
FIRST PARAGRAPH
SECOND PARAGRAPH
THIRD PARAGRAPH

ENDING
SIGNATURE
SENDERS NAME

________________________
8

QUESTION 1
Imagine that you were very dissatisfied with the food and service at an expensive
restaurant where you entertained your family. Write a letter of complaint to the
restaurants management. Include the following points:
-

Rude waiters
Poorly cooked food
Unhygienic conditions
Wrongly totalled bill
Noisy surroundings
Old and uncomfortable furniture

In your letter you should:

-

state your complaint

elaborate on your complaints
ask the management to rectify the complaints
express your thoughts about dining at the restaurant again

SAMPLE {Formal Letter}

Lot 201, Jalan Teratai,
Taman Guchil Jaya,
18000 Kuala Krai,
Kelantan.

The Manager,
Seasons Restaurant,
Jalan Halimah,
15000 Kota Bharu
15 APRIL 2011
Dear Sir,
Complaint About Unsatisfactory Food And Restaurant Service
I wish to express my dissatisfaction about the food and service at your
established and well-known restaurant. On behalf of my family, I would like to
raise a few points regarding this matter. My family and I had dinner at your
restaurant on 10 April 2011 to celebrate my mothers 50th birthday. We expected
to have a great time at your seafood restaurant but unfortunately we did not.
2. Your waiters treated us rudely and inconsiderately. We had to wait for about
half an hour before we could order any food. The waiter spoke to us rudely
whilst taking the orders. In fact, he scolded my mother who wanted to have a cup
of tea without sugar. He claimed that the restaurant does not serve such a drink.
For your information, my mother has diabetes and is trying to avoid taking sugary
food and drinks.
3. The poorly cooked food was also unsatisfactory. We were surprised to find
out that the roast chicken and fish that we had ordered were still raw and inedible.
The mushroom soup tasted a bit sour and the fried prawn was overcooked. We
made a complaint about the food to your waiters and cooks but no further action
was taken.
4. Besides the poorly served food we also felt uncomfortable with the dirty and
unhygienic conditions at your restaurant. The food was greasy. There were
some cats wandering searching for food. These bad conditions are harmful as
they might get food poisoning and other health problems.
5. I nearly lost RM57 as a result of the wrongly totalled bill I was given. It was
my sister who noticed the unreasonable price of the food. Then we recounted the
bill and found that out it was wrongly calculated. The total was supposed to be
RM120 but the calculation made by the cashier showed RM177.

10

6. Another problem that spoiled our evening was the noisy surroundings,
especially the yelling of waiters and waitresses calling names and taking orders
from the customers. Besides this, the loud music and noise coming from the
kitchen also contributed to this unsatisfactory situation. What was more
disappointing were the defective fans and air-conditioners. The weather was very
humid and there were a lot of people in the restaurant. There are also old and
uncomfortable furniture in your restaurant.
7. Hereby, I would like to make suggestions to help you solve these problems.
First of all, I suggest that you look at your restaurant and make sure no more cats
and other stray animals are on your premise. You should also train your waiters
and cooks to provide good service and food to customers. It would be better to
use a calculator to avoid mistakes in totalling the bill. You need to repair the
defective fans and air-conditioners immediately. Last but not least, cleanliness
should be maintained in all parts of your restaurant.
I hope that you will look into these complaints and take immediate actions. It is
very important to remember that The Better The Service, The Better The
Business.
Thanking you in advance for your co-operation.
Yours faithfully,
Rodziana
(RODZIANA RAZALI)

11

PRACTICE
You live in Kampung Krai. There is a factory nearby your area that is causing a
lot of problems to the residents. Write a letter of complaint to the management
and suggest ways to overcome the problems caused by the factory.
Complaints
drinking water polluted
air pollution - smoke from factory.
noise pollution operate 24 hours
dumping of toxic waste
stench
potholes in the roads.
Suggestions

stop the dumping of waste

smoke control devices
relocate the factory
stop operating 24 hours a day
stop heavy vehicles from using the roads
resurface the roads

12

NOW YOU TRY.

________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
The Manager,
Toyobo Plastic Factory,
________________________
________________________

___date_

D______ S_____,
Complaint about Yoyobo Plastic Ware Foctory
I am writing on behalf of the residents to complain about ___________________
________________________________________________________________.
I live (Refer to the Question)_________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
There is (Refer to the Question)______________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Your factory is operating 24 hours everyday. However lately the factory has
caused a lot of problems in our area. The residents are dissatisfied with the
factorys management.
2.
Firstly I want to complain about ( c1) ______________________________
- (water brown) The water __________________________________________
- ( unsafe to drink) It is ___________________________________________
- ( admitted ) Last week one of the residents ___________________________
_______________________________________________________________
- ( diarrhea ) He had _______________________________________________
3.
Secondly the factory has caused (c2) ____________________________
- ( thick smoke ) It releases________________________________________
- ( dangerous chemicals) The smoke contains ________________________
-( air filled dust ) The air is__________________________________________
- ( harmful ) Polluted air is _________________________________________
- ( can cause asthma) It can cause____________________________________
4.
Apart from that, the factory has caused ( c3 ) _____________________
_______________________________________________________________
- ( operating 24 hours) The factory ___________________________________
- ( creating noise) Everyday it is______________________________________
- ( students cannot study ) As the result_______________________________
- ( caused stress ) The noise from___________________________________
13

5.
Next serious problem caused by the plastic ware factory is (c4 )
________________________________________________________________
- ( dumping into river ) The factory___________________________________
- ( river water polluted) The river ____________________________________
_ ( kill marine life ) The polluted water can_____________________________
6.
Besides that, there is a strong (c5)_______________________________
- (smelly) our area is ______________________________________________
- (comes from chemical used) the stench____________________________
________________________________________________________________
- (unpopular among tourists) Now our area is_________________________
________________________________________________________________
7.
Therefore we would like to give some suggestions to overcome the
problems faced by the residents in our area. Our first suggestion is the factory
should (c7) _______________________________________________________
Secondly, ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
The factory can recycle or bury the waste. Next, vehicles and factories can use
(c8) _____________________________________________________________
It can reduce the amount of smoke from the vehicles and factories.
8. Another suggestion is, the factory should (c9)________________________
________________________________________________________________
So they can avoid air, water and noise pollution. Besides that,(c10) __________
________________________________________________________________
The factory should operate from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm only. It should not operate at
night.
9. Lastly, (c11 and c 12) ___________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
We hope the factory management will _________________________________
________________________________________________________________
If no action taken , we will report to the authority concerned or write in the press.
Thanking ________________________________________________________.

Yours faithfully,
______________________________
( _____________________________)
Resident of

14

Informal Letter
QUESTION
You are away from home and wish to buy a present for your brother on his
birthday. He bought you an expensive gift on your birthday so you would like to
get him something special.
You have two items in mind for him but you do not have enough money. Using
the information given below write a letter to your mother asking for some money.
In your letter:

compare both items

state the item you have chosen
state the amount of money you have and the amount you need
give reasons for your choice by providing information about
what your brothers hobbies are
what you know about your brother
previous birthday gifts he has received

Use the specifications of the items given below to support your request.

Danon Camera

Bicycle

Specifications:
RM250.00
Fully automatic
Panoramic view

Specifications:
RM250.00
5-gear
Adjustable seat

15

Sample Answer
Jason Wong,
23, Jalan Hamidah,
19780 Kota Bharu,
Kelantan.
30 April 2011
Dear Mum,
How are you? I hope you are fine. I am sorry for not writing earlier. As you
know, life in the university is quite hectic. How is everyone at home? I miss home.
Mum, Brother Ricks birthday is in May and I hope to buy him a special gift.
Unfortunately, I do not have enough money. I was wondering if you could give
me a short-term loan. I have about RM200.00 in my savings account. I need
another RM100.00. I promise to pay you back as soon as I receive my
scholarship.
I have two items in mind for Rick. One is a Danon Camera and the other item
is a bicycle. Both have a price tag of RM250.00. The camera is a fully automatic
one and has a lens to capture nature in its panoramic view. The Danon Camera
looks like a worthwhile buy compared to the bicycle. I think that there is noth9nbg
special about bicycles with five gears and adjustable seats. I have decided to
choose the Danon Camera.
My choice is based on several factors. Firstly, Rick loves outdoor activities. I
remember him complaining about not having a camera to record his joyous
moments. I also know that Rick is not an enthusiastic cyclist. He prefers camping,
climbing, and trekking. A camera would be just right for him. If my memory does
not fail me, he was given a bicycle for his twelfth birthday. I cant remember
where the bicycle is now.
Thats all for now. Please send my love to Papa and Alice. Before I forget,
please do not tell Rick anything. I want to surprise him on his birthday.
Yours sincerely,

Jason

16

PRACTICE
You have been busy with your school activities. Last month your school launched
an English Month for all the students.
Using the information below, write a letter to your friend telling him about the
aims of the English Month and the activities that were carried out.
Aims

Activities

To improve students English language proficiency

To give opportunity to them to use the language
To have fun using the language

Essay-writing competition
Singing competition
Spelling bee
Exhibition of students work
Story-telling competition
Poem recital competition
Debates
Choral speaking
English drama

17

NOW YOU TRY

___( address_______
__________________
___ ( date )_________
Dear____,
Hi there! How are __________? I hope ________________________________
I am writing this letter to tell you about ____________. The English Month was
held throughout the month of _______________. All the students from our school
took part in _______________________________________________________

The aim of the English Month was to ________________________________.

Besides it was held for the students to _________________________________
During the English Month, my school organized many interesting activities.
One the activities held during the English Month was
_______________________________________
{Who took part? / What was the title of the essay? / Who won?
All the form 5 students took part in ______________________________.
The title of the essay was ____________________________________
A student from Form 5 Alfa, (Name) won the essay writing ___________
Another activity held during the English Month was _____________________
{Who took part? / What song they sang? / Who won?
Besides, the school also held __ / Furthermore _____ / Next _____ / Apart
from that _____. Lastly _____
Who took part ? / What they did ? Who / which class won ?
Closing Thats all about _____________
Yours sincerely,
Name

18

Helpful Notes on Writing A Speech

Introduction
You must greet the audience.
Example:
A very good morning to the principal, senior assistants, teachers, and
beloved students, I am really glad to be invited here to give a speech
on ..
Or
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, I am glad to be given this
opportunity to talk about

You must introduce yourself. Mention your position.

Example:
I am the chairperson of the English Language Society.
Or
I am (Name), as the President of the Environment Club, want to give a
speech this morning on ..

You must mention the topic of your speech.

Example:
Today I am going to talk about .
Or
The topic of my speech is
Or
As the President of the Environmental Society, I would like to talk about
.
Body

Do not leave out any points provided

Mention all points
Elaborate all the points - use WH-Questions: why, where, when, what,
who and how.
Conclusion
You must end the speech
Example: Thank you for
I would like to thank everyone here for your full support
With this, I shall end my speech. Thank you for paying full attention
Thank you for your attention

19

QUESTION:You are the President of the Environmental Club of your school. You have been
requested by your principal to give a speech during school assembly. Your
speech is in conjunction with the Love your Environment campaign.
Using the notes below, write your speech.

Collect waste material and separate

Send to recycling centers \Collect old newspapers
Poster competition
Do not litter

A very good morning I bid to the principal,Pn Halimahton binti Jamal,

senior assistants, teachers and friends,
I am Kamarulzaman bin Ahmad, proudly standing here as the President of
the Environmental Club, and am really honoured to be given this opportunity to
talk to all of you today. In conjunction with the Love your Environment campaign,
I would like to talk about the activities to be carried out to show that we love our
environment.
As students, it is our responsibility to keep our environment clean. We play
a vital role in protecting our environment. A lot of waste can be reused such as
bottles, cans, and newspapers. Therefore, every morning we will go around the
school compound and collect all waste materials. Then we must separate
these waste products in different garbage bags. These garbage bags will then be
sent to recycling centres.
The next activity is collecting old newspapers from our home. You are
requested to collect old newspapers and bring them to school every morning.
The collection centre will be the school canteen. There will be someone from the
club who will be in charge of the collection. Please make sure that you tie the
newspapers into bundles before handing them in.
Another activity that will be held is the poster competition. Anyone
interested must register with Lim May May from Form 5 Mulia. The closing date
of submission is the 10th March 2011. The theme of the posters must follow the
theme of our campaign. The first prize winner will get a book voucher of RM200,
the second prize winner will get a book voucher of RM100, and the third prize
winner will receive a book voucher of RM50.
Finally, I wish to give a word of reminder to you all. Please do not litter.
We must avoid the habit of throwing rubbish indiscriminately. We must always
remember that a cleaner environment would ensure a happier and healthier life. I
would like to make an appeal for full cooperation from all parties to make this
campaign a success. With that, thank you.

20

You are working as a dentist in a hospital and you are invited to give a talk
on the importance of dental care to some school students.
You have jotted down the following points;
Ways of ensuring strong and healthy teeth
Brush your teeth twice a day.
Use a good tooth brush.
Use a toothpaste with fluoride.
Avoid food with high sugar content.
Eat food rich in calcium to strengthen teeth
Frequent checking at dental clinic.
Dangers of unhealthy teeth
Tooth decay
Toothache
Loss of teeth at early age
Wearing of dentures (artificial teeth)
Using the above points, write your speech.

21

Now You Try

Essay guide
Opening
- A very good..
- I feel really honoured to be invited..
- My name is Dr.I am a
- Today I am going to talk about.
Body
- Healthy teeth is.
- Without healthy teeth we cannot enjoy eating our food.
- There are many ways (A).
- Firstly to ensure strong and healthy teeth you should..(c1)
(early in the morning after waking up from bedbefore you
go to bed at night )
Secondly to ensure strong and healthy teeth you should (c2)
and (c3 ) ..
(For example you must use.)So your teeth will look.
Next / Apart from that you should (c4)..
(For example do not eat sugary food such asBut must (c5)
food with calcium such as)
Besides that..(c6).
(must visit dentist twice a year / can use dental floss to
remove food stuck between)
Everyone must aware the danger (B)
Unhealthy teeth will cause(c7) and (c8).
( can cause severe pain./unable to do any chores / a
student with toothache cannot.)
Another danger of unhealthy teeth is .(c9).......
You have to wear .(c10)
( look ugly / very expensive )
Conclusion
Therefore remember without strong and healthy food you cannot enjoy you
food
- take good care
- With this I shall end my talk.Thank you for listening to my talk.

.
22

QUESTION
You attended a Road Safety Campaign organised by the local police
department. After the campaign, you were asked to give a speech in your
school on ways to ensure road safety while on the road.

obey the traffic rules

motorists must use crash helmets
ensure the engine is in good condition
do not speed
be patient on the road
ride slowly in a school area
obey the speed limit
do not use mobile phones while driving
do not drink and drive
be careful when driving on a rainy day
do not drive if sleepy

23

NOW YOU TRY

A very. / I feel very happy
I have attended (See Question)
Today I am going to give a talk on
Nowadays road accidents are rampant in .
Many people have died in.
Therefore positive steps must be taken to overcome.
There are many ways to ensure ..
One of the important ways to ensure road safety while on the road is (c1 )

{ How } follow the instructions on the sign board

stop at the traffic lights
follow the speed limit
Another important way to ensure road safety while on the road is ( c
2)
{ Why } can prevent head injuries.
- will not be fined for not wearing helmet.
Besides that important way to ensure road safety while on the road is
(c3) ..
{ How } must check the engine
- make sure the tyre and breaks in good condition
Furthermore important way to ensure road safety while on the road is
(c4)
{ What } do not racing on the road
- do not overtake at sharp corners
Next important way to ensure road safety while on the road is
(c5) .
{ How } stop at the traffic lights when it turns green
Apart from that other ways to ensure road safety while on the road is (c6) and
(c7) .
{ Why } - students might cross the road
Another way to ensure road safety while on the road is
(c8).
{ Why } cannot pay attention
Moreover ways to ensure road safety while on the road is
( c9 ) and ( c10 ) .
{ Why } can lost control and cause accident
- road slippery
Lastly ways to ensure road safety while on the road is
( c 11 ) ...................................................................
{ Why } - tired and cannot concentrate on the road
Thats all my talk for today. I hope
Thank you for listening .

24

QUESTION
You find that many of your friends are under a lot of pressure. They spend most
of their day studying and appear to suffer from stress. Write an article for your
school newsletter on how to cope with stress.
Include the following points:
Regular exercise
Hobbies
Work in groups
Balanced meals
Enough sleep
Study skills
Make a check-list
Seek advice
Games
Talk to your family
Listen to music
Surf the Internet

25

SAMPLE
Coping with Stress
by Wira Mohamad
The phenomenon of students under pressure is evident from the behaviour of
those students affected. I am a student and I know when my friends are under
pressure. Some of those active ones will suddenly turn passive. Some will
become too quiet while some tend to get angry fast.
There are many ways one can get rid of stress. Firstly, student, especially
teenagers, must go for regular exercise. A brisk walk in the park would release a
lot of tension. Students should play football, hockey, basketball and badminton to
reduce stress.
Exercise is also said to relax the body muscles and keep you calm.
Students must have hobbies such as reading, collecting stamps, fishing or
listening to music of your choice. These leisure activities help keep students free
from school-related stress.
Therefore, students should plan a time-table. They can also work in groups
to solve some of their academic problems. Besides making friends and
discussing certain issues, group discussions can help improve study skills. One
of these is the ability to make a check-list of all the activities planned and carried
out. This in turn will make studying more effective and avoid unnecessary
pressure.
Students should also have balanced meals and enough sleep. These are
said to be basic to healthy lives. Students, especially those in examination
classes, must sleep and eat well because a healthy body creates a healthy mind.
However, the process of going to sleep can sometimes be difficult. Hence, it is
necessary to seek advice from those whom we trust and love. Counsellors in
school are helpful but you can always talk to your family first. However, if nothing
works, there is a need to seek treatment from the relevant authorities. You may
be surprised but a friend of mine said that screaming at the mountains and
laughing your heart out can take away stress.

25

(SAMPLE 1)
You find that many of your friends are under a lot of pressure. They spend
most of their time studying and appear to suffer from stress. Write an
article for your school magazine on how to cope with stress.
Include the following points.

(C1)
(C2)
(C3)
(C4)
(C5)
(C6)
(C7)
(C8)
(C9)
(C10)
(C11)
(C12)

regular exercise
hobbies
plan a timetable
work in groups
enough sleep
balanced meals
study skills
make a check-list
seek advice
games
talk to your family
listen to music

You should use all the points given and add two more points.
When writing an article remember:
1. to give a title
2. that your readers are students
3. to include all the points
4. to add two new points

26

SAMPLE
Fill in the blanks below by referring to Sample Question
How to _____________________________
Stress is a popular word known by many people and closely associated to
school students especially among students studying for SPM examination. As a
student, I have seen many of my friends are under pressure. So, we have find
ways to cope with stress.
There are many ways one can cope with stress. Firstly, students must do
_____________________________(c1). For example you can go for
___________________________________ Secondly, you could have
_____________________________ (c2) such as ________________________.
This can relax our mind. Next, you should ____________________________ (c3)
So that you will not waste your time. Furthermore, you should __________
________________________ (c4).You can discuss your lesson and problems
with your friends.
You should have ________________________________(c5) You must
sleep at least 8 hours a day. You must eat ___________ __________ (c6).
Balanced meals are important to live healthy. We need nutritious food to keep
our body fit and away from diseases. You must practice a good ______________
______________________________________________(c7)
If you have good and effective study skills or techniques will make you more
confident in you lesson. This can help to reduce stress.
Besides that, you must ____________________________ (c8) It can help
you to check all your activities planned. So that, you can carry out your activities
systematically without any unnecessary pressure. You should ______________
___________________(c9) It is important to seek advice from those who are
experienced , understanding and trustworthy. You can talk to the school
counselors.
On the other hand, you must play__________________ (c10) For example
we can play football, netball, volleyball or other games. We cannot deny a
healthy body will lead a healthy mind. Next you can always talk
____________________________ (c11)
They have experience and they can help you to solve your problems. You
should __________________________ (c12) to reduce your stress. This leisure
activity can help you to keep students away from personal and school related
stress. Besides you should ________________________________(c13) By
surfing internet you can get new friends to chat and share your problems. Lastly
you can ____________________________(c14) If you have any problems with
certain subjects , you can go to tuition classes.
27

In conclusion I hope that you will follow my tips to reduce stress. We must
overcome stress because it can lead to other serious problems.
QUESTION
According to the police the number of road accidents and deaths during the
festive season for the year 2006 did not show much improvement. The
government is increasingly concerned that although strict measures are
implemented during this period of time there is no reduction in the number of
accidents and deaths. You have been asked by your teacher to write an article
for the school magazine on the causes of accidents and suggest ways of
reducing them. Use all the notes given below to write your article.
Causes of accidents
Reckless driving
Lack of rest or tiredness
Drunk driving
Using mobile phone while driving
Ill-disciplined road users
Speeding
Poor condition of vehicles
Suggestions of ways to reduce accidents
Follow the traffic rules
Reduce the speed limit
Increase the fines
Forbid inexperienced drivers from driving public transport
Increase the age limit to obtain driving license
Drivers should take a rest before starting a long journey
When writing your article you should remember:
To give your article a title
To write in paragraphs
To include all the points given

28

HELPFUL NOTES IN WRITING A REPORT

To, WHOM
(eg. The Principal,
SMK Tanah Merah,
16000 Tanah Merah.)
Report On/About (see the question)
a) Intro
b) Body
c) Conclusion

Reported by,
____
(NAME)
Your post
(eg. Secretary,
English Language Society)

REPORT
You are unhappy with the poor condition and services of your school library.
Write a report to your principal. You must use the notes given below.

Rude librarian
Insufficient space
Old furniture
Old and torn books
29

 Faulty media equipment

Short borrowing period
When writing the report, you should remember:
to provide a title
to use all the notes given
the elaborate the notes
SAMPLE
To, The Principal
SMK Sri Harmoni,
18000 Kuala Krai,
Kelantan.
The Poor Conditions And Services By The Library
My name is Ahmad Bin Mohd. Ali. I am very unhappy with the conditions
and services provided by our school library. This is a serious matter and should
be solved as soon as possible.
First of all the librarians are very rude. They often scold us when we
return the books late although we pay the fine. It is hard to see them smile. So I
hope you will do something about this.
There is insufficient place to sit and read. Our school has about 1000
students. The library is so small. We have to stand and sit outside the library
along the corridor to read books or newspaper.
Besides, the library has old furniture. The chairs are all rusty and some
even broken. The tables are shaking and might fall one day. The racks are very
old. We are afraid if would fall anytime. I request the school to buy new furniture.
Apart from that, our library is filled with old and torn books, which are not
suitable for the students. Some of us have asked the teacher in charge to buy
new books but he said the library has financial problems.
Other than that, the media equipment is faulty. The students cannot
access computers anytime they want. The television cannot be switched on. We
hope that the school will buy a new television or repair the old one.
Finally the students are not satisfied with the borrowing period, which is
too short. We can only borrow the reference books for two days. We can borrow
the story books for one week. We hope the library would expand the borrowing
30

period. This is all I would like to complain about. I hope you will look into this
matter as soon as possible.
Reported by,
(Ahmad bin Mohd. Ali)

REPORT
Cases of bullying in your school are on the rise. You are asked to conduct a
survey on the problem. Write a report to your principal outlining the reasons why
bullying happens and give suggestions to overcome it. Include the following
points:

Pressure

Unhappy family
life

Reaso

Media
influence

Reasons

Peer group
influence

Lack of attention
from parents

Lack of religious
knowledge

31

Enforce
stricter
rules

Instill more
religious values

Organize
awareness
campaigns

Suggestions
Reasons

Have
counselling
sessions

Involve parents in
school activities

Conduct
motivational talks

Write a report using all the notes given.

TRY YOUR BEST!!!

32

Continuous
Writing

33

CONTINUOUS WRITING

RITING is a difficult skill. It is for this reason that continuous

writing is the bane of many students. Unlike directed writing,
students have to start from scratch and deal with contents as

well as language .They have to think of what to write and how to write. With
continuous writing, they have to consider these two factors besides having to
explore ideas and watch out for language.
Section B of Paper 1, i.e. continuous writing carries substantial 50 marks.
Candidates are given five topics and they have to write on one of these topics in
an hour. The topics can be categorised as follows:

NARRATIVE
WRITING

ARGUMENTATI
VE
WRITING

CONTINUOUS
WRITING

FACTUAL
/ EXPOSITORY
WRITING

34

DESCRIPTIVE
WRITING

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Narrative
Write a story beginning with: I never knew what happiness was
until.
Write a story ending with: Finally, he walked away without saying
a word.

Descriptive
Describe a visit to a night market.
A Personality I Admire

Factual / Expository
The Effects of Pollution
Ways to Make School Interesting

Argumentative
It is better to study the science subjects than the arts. Do you
agree?
Examinations should be abolished. Discuss.

35

GENERALTIPS / STRATEGIES

Read and consider all the questions given.

Do not make the mistake of selecting the first question that you read or a
question which you think is manageable. You might realise later that you
could have handled another question with much more ease.
Choose a topic that you are familiar or comfortable with.
Select a topic which is within your experience so that you will not have to
struggle with the content.
Opt for a topic which is within your linguistic ability.
Do not select a topic just because you think it is challenging. This is not
the time for experimentation.
For weak students, it is always advisable to write a narrative.
Plan your essay the outline / organisation, points / ideas / thoughts, and
supporting points (if you are writing an argumentative or factual essay).
Write out your essay in neat and legible handwriting. Small or untidy
handwriting, or a combination of both, can be very annoying as the reader
has to spend valuable time deciphering what you have written.
Write in paragraphs.
You may leave a line between paragraphs as it is easier on the examiners
eye.
Edit and revise language if necessary.
36

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CONTINUOUS WRITING

Read all the questions given. Some students make the mistake of
selecting the first question that they read, or zooming in on a question they
think is manageable only to realise later, that they could have handled
another question with more ease.
Choose a topic you are familiar, or comfortable with, which is within your
scope of experience, so you do not have to struggle with content.
Opt for something that is within your linguistic ability. Do not select a topic
just because you think it is challenging. This is not the time for
experimentation. As for weak students, it is generally advisable to write a
narrative.
Plan your essay: the outline, points/ideas/thoughts and supporting points
(if you are writing an argumentative or factual essay).
Remember to use a variety of sentence structures (simple, compound and
complex).
Competent candidates should use more of the latter as your competency
will be made obvious by your ability to use these structures accurately. Do
not use too many simple sentences as, at SPM level, more is expected of
you.
Use sentences of varying lengths. A short sentence can be very effective
after several long sentences.
Choose words carefully. You should be able to use words with different
nuances. For instance the word walked can be replaced with synonyms
such as ambled, strolled, sauntered, staggered, strode.
Write out your essay in neat, legible handwriting. There is nothing more
annoying than small or untidy handwriting, or a combination of both, as the
reader has to spend valuable time deciphering what you have written.
37

Write in paragraphs. You may leave a line between paragraphs as it is

easy on the examiners eye.
Edit and revise language if necessary. Allocate 10 minutes for this and
make sure spelling and punctuation are accurate.
Do heed the length of the essay. You are required to write an essay of not
less than 350 words. Anything shorter would definitely be penalised. But
do not write too long an essay. Some students can easily write anything
between 600 and 800 words. Remember, the more you write, the more
mistakes you may make. Weak students are strongly advised not to write
a lengthy essay.

SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR CONTINUOUS WRITING

Make sure your essay is longer than 350 words.

This means that you need to develop your essay/ideas to a considerable
degree.
Avoid a lengthy essay.
Some students believe that they will obtain more marks if they write a
lengthy piece. This is definitely not true, especially if your essay has
considerable grammatical errors.
Do not waste time counting the number of words.
By now you should be able to gauge how many words you write on one
page, so do not waste precious time counting the number of words in your
essay.
Pay attention to language.

38

As in directed writing, avoid informal language, clichs, contractions and

slang words.
Avoid using unnecessary idiomatic expressions/proverbs.
Some students have this notion that they will obtain more marks if they
use idiomatic expressions/proverbs, and so, they memorise as many
idiomatic expressions/proverbs as they can.
Reading an essay littered with idiomatic expressions/proverbs can be a
pain. Also, not all idiomatic expressions are formal.
Use a variety of sentences (simple, compound, complex and compoundcomplex) of varying lengths.
Use precise vocabulary.
E.g. He told me to be careful as there were crocodiles in the river.
He warned me to be careful as there were crocodiles in the river.
The word warned is more precise.
Do not use spoken language.
These days, it is quite common to come across the usage of spoken
language not only in newspaper articles, but also in magazines and novels.
Remember, there are differences between spoken and written language.
If you are unsure whether a phrase is spoken or written, ask your teachers.
Do not leave your sentences hanging.
Remember, every English sentence must have a subject and a verb.
E.g. I saw many types of marine life. For example, seahorses and
starfish. (The second sentence is hanging.)
Do not use repetitive words, phrases or structures.
a) Examples of repetitive words:
i.
It was a very hot day. I was feeling very thirsty.
(You could replace the word very with extremely in the second
sentence.)
ii.
My mother scolded me for coming home late. My father, who was
just as angry, scolded me for not listening to his advice.
39

(You could use admonished instead of scolded in the second

sentence.)
b) Examples of repetitive phrases:
i.
Murni and I were best friends. We had been best friends since
kindergarten. We had promised to remain best friends till the end of
our lives.
(You could rewrite it this way: Murni and I were best friends. We
had been close since kindergarten. We had pledged to maintain our
friendship till the end of our lives.)
ii.
It was the end of the year. My father had promised to take us on a
holiday. He had promised to take us to Perth.
(There are several ways to rewrite this:
It was the end of the year. My father had promised to take us on a
holiday. He told us that we would be going to Perth that year.
It was the end of the year. My father had promised to take us on a
holiday to Perth.)
c) Examples of repetitive sentences:
My mother is one person who is admired by many people. She is a
strong and determined person. She does not let problems stop her
from doing what she wants. She sees problems as challenges.
(As you can see the structure She is repeated as in She is
She does not She sees)
Learn to use other structures to overcome this problem.
My mother is one person who is admired by many people. She is strong
and determined. Problems do not stop her from doing what she wants.
According to her, problems are challenges.)
*You may, however, use repetitive structures for emphasis.
Avoid redundancy,
E.g. In my opinion, I think
In my opinion and I think have the same meaning.
E.g. It was a happy and merry occasion. I felt satisfied and contented.
The words happy and merry mean the same thing, so does satisfied and
contented.

40

NARRATIVE WRITING
TIPS AND STRATEGIES

You have to decide whether to write your essay from your own perspective
or someone elses. The first person or third person singular is the most
popular voice.
If you choose to write from your own perspective, then use the first person
singular, that is, I.
If you choose to write from someone elses perspective, use third person
pronouns (he, she, it). Be consistent in your choice of pronouns. Do not
switch perspectives mid-way through the essay.
Engage your reader. Make the story real for him. Get him involved in your
experience.
Bring your characters to life. Make them real. Make them memorable. It is
always more interesting to read about flawed characters.
Have a simple plot. You will be better off using chronological order.
Flashbacks are a wonderful device but you should only engage in this if
you can carry it off.
Use the simple past tense if you cannot handle the past perfect tense.
Use verbs and adjectives to enable your reader to visualise things in his
minds eye
You may use dialogue but use it sparingly and effectively. Remember, you
are writing a narrative, not a script.
Avoid using informal language.
Avoid clichs
Specific guidelines to remember when writing a narrative essay:
41

You have to decide whether to write your essay from your own perspective
or someone elses.
The first person or third person singular is the most popular voice. If you
choose to write from your own perspective, then use the first person
singular i.e. I. If you choose to write from someone elses perspective,
use third person pronouns (he, she, it). Be consistent in your choice of
pronouns. Do not switch perspectives mid-way through the essay.
The choice of pronoun also depends on the question. In the question
Write a story beginning with: I was tired and, you have to use the first
person singular I.
Engage your reader. Make the story real for him. Make him involved in
your experience.
Have a simple plot. You will be better off using the chronological order.
Flashbacks are a wonderful device where you merge the past with the
present. But be careful; only engage in this method if you can carry it off.
Use only the simple past tense if you cannot handle the past perfect tense.
However, you will need to use the past perfect tense if you are referring to
more than one action in the past.
Bring your characters to life. Make them real. Make them memorable. It is
always more interesting to read about flawed characters.
Use nouns, verbs and adjectives to evoke your readers senses.
You may use dialogue, but use it sparingly and effectively. Remember you
are writing a narrative, not a script.
Before you write your essay, it is a good idea to plan what you are going to
write.
A good narrative should have:
An introduction -This is to set the scene and present the
character/characters
Complications or problems - In your story, the character/characters
might have a problem to overcome.
A climax - A good story should have a climax which is the most
exciting part of the story
A resolution (end)
42

Never leave your story hanging although accomplished writers use this
technique (which is called an open ending) to get their readers to confront
certain issues the writer may have raised in his story.
QUESTION 1
Write a story ending with, I never saw her again after that.
GUIDELINES
A good story should have elements as follows :
Simple Plot
The story revolves around Mary Anne who leaves town when her mother
is diagnosed with cancer. Her parents die and she is treated cruelly by her
aunt
.
A chance encounter at a pharmacy reveals this to the narrator.
Setting
Most likely, a pharmacy/clinic
A past event (no specific time mentioned).
Important Characters
Mary Anne
Narrator
The aunt
How the essay seeks to engage the reader
Vivid portrayal of the character through the use of verbs, adjectives and
adverbs
The gaunt figure that inched its way slowly towards the medicine counter
looked old and haggard. Her dreary-looking outfit did nothing to conceal
her bleak and depressing demeanour.
Quietly, she sat on one of the chairs and waited patiently, like the rest of
us, for her number to be flashed on the digital screen.
Vivid reminder of what the character had been like before
Mary Anne had been the school beauty. Everyone had admired her for her
looks, her brains and her beautiful character.
Focus shifts from loss of external to internal beauty
I wondered what had happened to the ravishing beauty I had once known.
Then again, this person looked old, much too old to be 29.
Narrators realisation that she is still beautiful on the inside
43

I looked at Mary Anne and saw her goodness. Instead of seeing a gaunt
and weary figure, I saw an amazingly beautiful human being.
Narrators thoughts and feelings
Anyone who looked at her would have thought she carried the worlds
burdens on her shoulders.
I was rattled. I looked at Mary Anne and saw her goodness. Instead of
seeing a gaunt and weary figure, I saw an amazingly beautiful human
being. My heart went out to her.
Effective use of past and past perfect tense
Her remarks reminded me of how beautiful she had been once. Mary Anne
had been the school beauty. Everyone had admired her for her looks, her
brains and her beautiful character.
Touch of humour
Many had said, rather enviously, that God had worked overtime with her
making her one of his masterpieces.
Choice of words
Precise/apt pitiable
Not repetitive, e.g. treated her badly, ghastly treatment.
Inclusion of dialogue
Varied sentence structures
I was rattled. (simple sentence)
Her mother had been diagnosed with end-stage cancer and there was
nothing the doctors could do. (compound sentence)
Now that the aunt was old and suffering from cancer, her five children had
deserted her when they realised that she needed special care. (complex
sentence)
Use of repetition for emphasis
"Why did you leave so suddenly, Mary Anne? Why"
Unexpected ending
Mary Anne does not desert her aunt in her time of need. The beauty of her
character shines through.
Sometimes, you can change a story to suit another topic. Why dont you
manipulate the sample essay to fit the topic Beauty?

44

MODEL ANSWER
The gaunt figure that inched its way slowly towards the medicine counter
looked old and haggard.
Her dreary-looking outfit did nothing to conceal her bleak and depressing
demeanour. Anyone who looked at her would have thought she carried the
worlds burdens on her shoulders.
Quietly, she sat on one of the chairs and waited patiently, like the rest of
us, for her number to be flashed on the digital screen.
I was rattled. I knew I had seen her somewhere before a younger,
happier version. There was no way I could be wrong. Like an arrow released from
its bow, the buried and forgotten memories pierced my heart with an unknown
intensity.
It had to be Mary Anne, my best friend in secondary school. Then again,
this person looked old, much too old to be 29. Anyway, I summoned enough
courage and went towards her. Hearing my footsteps, she looked up slowly. The
flash of recognition in her eyes told me I was not wrong.
It is you, Mary Anne Danker, is it not?
She nodded her head silently as if embarrassed.
Hello, John? You are looking good.
Her remarks reminded me of how beautiful she had been once. Mary Anne
had been the school beauty. Everyone had admired her for her looks, her brains
and her beautiful character.
Many had said, rather enviously, that God had worked overtime with her
making her one of his masterpieces.
One day, Mary Anne had stopped coming to school. Devastated, I had
gone to her house, only to find it all locked up. Checks with neighbours proved
futile. No one knew where the Danker family had gone and why they had left so
suddenly.
Taking a seat next to her, I wondered what had happened to the ravishing
beauty I had once known.
Why did you leave so suddenly, Mary Anne? Why?
She looked at me nervously, clasping and unclasping her hands in her lap.
I could sense that she was rather reluctant to talk, reluctant to expose a part of
her life which had probably caused her a great deal of pain and suffering. A
prolonged silence ensued. Finally, she inhaled deeply and started telling me her
story.
Her mother had been diagnosed with end stage cancer and there was
nothing the doctors could do. They said that she had only three months to live.
Her father thought it best to return to their hometown, to let her live in peace in
the surroundings she had grown up in.
Her father, devastated by his wifes death, started to neglect his own
health and three months later, he too died of a broken heart, leaving Mary Anne
in the care of relatives.
Tears rolled down Mary Annes cheeks as she related the difficult years
with her aunt.
The old widow treated her badly, forcing Mary Anne to quit school and to
work as a dishwasher in a restaurant. The cruel old lady often beat her, and her
cousins, jealous of her beauty, were more vicious than their mother.
45

Now that the aunt was old and suffering from cancer, her five children had
deserted her when they realised that she needed special care. Despite her aunts
ghastly treatment of her, Mary Anne felt sorry for her.
I cannot leave her. She has no one else, she said. I have promised to
take care of her till the end of her life.
I looked at Mary Anne and saw her goodness. Instead of seeing a gaunt
and weary figure, I saw an amazingly beautiful human being.
My heart went out to her. Just then her number was flashed on the screen.
She got up and collected the medicine which, I understood, was for her aunt.
Never had I felt so helpless and wretched. Her story reminded me of something
my late grandfather used to say,
Life is like an onion: You peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes
you weep.
Before leaving, Mary Anne turned and smiled sadly at me. I never saw her
again after that.
QUESTION 2
(b) Write a story beginning with the following sentence :
Encik Karim realized now that if it were not for the public-spiritedness of
his neighbours, he would have lost everything ...
GUIDELINES
A good story should consist of the elements as follows :
Simple Plot
The story revolves around En. Karim and as the question requires one to write
the story using the sentence given as the first sentence, a flashback can be used
to tell what happened and how the public-spiritedness of his neighbours had
changed him.
Setting
A village
Main Character
En. Karim

How the essay seeks to engage the reader

Vivid portrayal of the character through the use of verbs, adjectives and
adverbs
e.g.

46

Here is a story about aloof Encik Karim and how the publicspiritedness of his neighbours had changed him into a down-toearth person.
He was very proud of his own wealth and heritage that he became
a snobbish man in his village.
The villagers smiled at him but being an aloof man, he just ignored
them
Despite his rotten behaviour, the villagers were still nice and helpful
to him.
Effective Use of Simple Past and Past Perfect Tenses
e.g.
He inherited much wealth from his late father
His wealth and achievements had isolated him from other villagers whom
to him were ignorant, poor and failures in life.
Inclusion of Dialogue
e.g.
The villagers smiled at him but being an aloof man, he just ignored them
and talked to his driver, Drive faster Mat. I do not feel comfortable looking
at those poor people. They are disgusting!
He ran to the house compound to get his family when he suddenly heard a
voice, Daddy, we are safe. Mummy and all of us were saved by the kind
men.
Varied Sentence Structure
e.g..
One day as usual En. Karim went out to his factory early in the morning.
(simple sentence)
Suddenly there was an urgent call from one of the villagers.
(simple sentence)
At first he wanted to ignore the call, but then answered when the man
sounded panicked. (compound sentence)
It was the villagers who made the first move to stop the fire and save his
wife and children before he rescue workers, police and ambulance arrived.
(complex sentence)
It was important but there was time when money was just a symbol of
wealth which did not mean anything to people. (complex sentence)
Wh-Questions
e.g.

what what happened in the story before En. Karim realized the
significance of the neighbours public-spiritedness
who - En. Karim, Mat, wife and sons, the villagers / neighbours
where a village
when current time
why a major event is a turning point to En. Karims behavior and
attitude
how neighbours helped to rescue En. Karims family from the fire
47

MODEL ANSWER
A Story on Public-Spiritedness
Encik Karim realized now that if it were not for the publicspiritedness of his neighbours, he would have lost everything that he had.
He would have lost his wife, children, a big bungalow house with complete
furniture in it. Here I would like to tell you a story about Encik Karim and how
public spiritedness of his neighbours had changed him into a good person.
Encik Karim was a resident of Kampung Banggol, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. He
inherited much wealth from his late father including 50 acres of land and a big
batik factory in Kota Bharu. He was very proud of his own wealth and heritage
that he became a snobbish man in his village. He was proud to have a happy
family. His wife was the most beautiful lady in Kelantan and all his children were
brilliant and intelligent in studies. He had 10 servants and 2 drivers who worked
for him and his family. His wealth and achievements had isolated him from other
villagers whom to him were ignorant, poor and failures in life.
One day as usual En. Karim went out to his factory early in the morning. In
his Mercedes car on his way to the factory, he saw many villagers walking barefooted. The villagers smiled at him but being an aloof man, he just ignored them
and talked to his driver, Drive faster, Mat. I do not feel comfortable looking at
those poor people. They are disgusting! Mat, being an obedient driver, sped the
car and just left the villagers feeling sad and down to earth.
En. Karim was very busy that morning. There was a very important
meeting with some fabric managers from United Kingdom. He was hoping that
his business proposal to build a factory in Edinburgh, Scotland became a reality
after meeting the important people. Suddenly there was an urgent call from one
of the villagers. At first he wanted to ignore the call, but then answered when the
man sounded panicked. He was very shocked to be informed that his big
bungalow house was on fire! His wife and children were in the house when he left
in the morning.
After apologizing to the foreign visitors, he left his company immediately.
Mat drove very fast so that they could reach Kampong Banggol at once. En.
Karim was very panicked that he forgot to dial 999 to get help from the police,
rescue workers and ambulance. He became very sad thinking about the
possibility that his wife and children were already killed in the fire. For sure
nobody in the village wanted to help him to save the lives of his family as he was
not friendly at all to them. He then realized it was a big mistake of him not to
establish good relationship with the villagers. At that moment nobody was going
to help him.
He reached his house 20 minutes later. To his surprise he saw so many
villagers helping to stop the fire. There were also rescue workers, police and
ambulance at the place. He ran to the house compound to get his family when he
suddenly heard a voice, Daddy, we are safe. Mummy and all of us were saved
by the kind men.
En. Karim was speechless. He was so embarrassed by his own unfriendly
behaviour. Despite his rotten behaviour, the villagers were still nice and helpful to
him. It was the villagers who made the initiative to contact him at the factory and
to dial 999. It was the villagers who made the first move to stop the fire and save
his wife and children before the rescue workers, police and ambulance arrived.
48

En. Karim realized his big mistake. He regretted himself for being very
snobbish to the people who in turn helped him regardless of the cold friendship.
He realized that money could not buy everything. It was important but there was
time when money was just a symbol of wealth which did mean anything to people.
There was more than money that people needed in their life. It was true
friendship and public spiritedness which brought happiness and meaning of life.
Everybody needed other people in their life no matter how rich they were. Heavy
and tough work could be light when there was a sense of cooperation,
togetherness and public spiritedness in each of the Malay citizens.

49

DESCRIPTIVE WRITING

There are 3 types of descriptive writing.

DESCRIBING A SCENE /
EVENT

3 TYPES OF
DESCRIPTIVE WRITING

DESCRIBING A PLACE

DESCRIBING A PERSON

TIPS AND STRATEGIES

DESCRIBING A SCENE / EVENT

When describing a scene or event, you are required to write in some details
about the people and activities going on.
Be clear about what scene/event you are describing.
Description must be lively and interesting.
Describe activities in details.
Activities are arranged in order.
Highlight persons involved and what they are doing.
Capture the mood of the scene (noise, lights, colours)
50

DESCRIBING A PLACE
When describing a place, you are required to describe the place in detail. In your
description, include the people and activities going on.
Give an introduction to the place.
Give a physical description of the place (from outside moving to inside).
Describe what you see and hear.
Describe in details the activities and attractions.
You can include personal feelings about the place.

DESCRIBING A PERSON
When describing a person, you should give enough details about him. Include :
If he is a famous person, mention why he is famous.
Your descriptions must be interesting.
Be clear about what you are describing.
Mention the special features why the person is outstanding.
Use present tenses if the person is still alive.

QUESTION 1
A Night Market
GUIDELINES
Describing A Place
i. When describing a place, you are required to describe the place in detail.
In your description, include the people and activities going on.
ii. Give an introduction to the place.
iii. Give a physical description of the place (from outside moving to inside).
iv. Describe what you see and hear.
v. Describe in details the activities and attractions.
vi. You can include personal feelings about the place.

51

ESSAY STRUCTURE
Introductory Paragraph What is a night market
-available at most residential area
-hawkers open stalls selling items
-stalls line the streets

Content Paragraph 1 - Reasons for being popular in Malaysia

-prices are cheap

-food is fresh
-a variety of items on sale

Content Paragraph 2 - Benefits of a night market to residentss

- family members can shop together
-help promote friendliness and neighbourliness
Content Paragraph 3 - Benefits of a night market to traders
-suitable for new traders who want to test the market for new products
-suitable if hawkers want to earn extra money selling homemade
food, home grown vegetables and fruits

Content Paragraph 4 - Benefits of a night market to visitors / tourists

-night market-introduces Malaysian food and products not found in big
supermarkets and shopping malls
-tourist can shop for reduced priced items

Concluding Paragraph - Night market-Malaysian way of life

MODEL ANSWER
A Night Market
A night market is a place in which varieties items are sold. The time for the
night market to open is after Asar until 10 pm. It is available in most of residential
areas. In the night market hawkers open stalls selling food, drinks, fruits, flowers,
raw fish and meat, vegetables, clothes and many more. The stalls line the streets
in the areas.
The night market is so popular among Malaysians. Apart from selling food
at cheap prices, it is fresh and nice to eat. In many stalls, there are a variety of
items on sale. As the night market operates from one area to another, people can
easily get what they want without making an effort of going out to distant shops or
markets.
There are many benefits the night market can offer to people. As it is
available at night, members of a family can shop together. After Asar usually
52

everybody in the family is already at home from school or workplace, and it is the
time for them to be and do activities together. By spending time together to shop
at the night market, it promotes togetherness and unity among family members.
Neighbours also have the chance to meet at the night market if they do not have
time to see each other in their housing areas. By meeting each other, the spirit of
friendliness and neighbourliness is inculcated and strengthened.
On the part of the traders, the night market provides a source of income to
them. It is the place where they can sell food and items to other people with a
small fee to pay to the authority. The night market is suitable for new traders who
want to test the market for the new products. Some hawkers can sell homemade
products like fruit jam and pizzas to earn extra money. Home grown vegetables
and fruits can be sold at cheap prices. People love to buy home them as they are
fresh and plentiful. It is good that creativity in producing these goods is given to
sellers.
In the night market, people can also get munchies like local fish crackers,
tapioca crackers, traditional cakes and which are unavailable in big supermarkets
and shopping malls. The food can be bought and presented to relatives and
friends who live in other states. In certain night markets, food like salted fish,
dried prawns and squids are sold for tourists. They can also get items like
watches, wall clocks, calculators and t-shirts at reduced prices. Price reduction
and availability of the items encourage the tourists to shop for more and bring the
items back to their states or countries.
The night market is a way of life in Malaysia. After a long and stressful day,
family members can get instant homemade and cooked food at the night market.
Shopping together spurs togetherness and unity among families and residents. It
is a channel in which local products can be creatively produced and sold to
others and a source of income for traders and hawkers who operate small
business.

53

QUESTION 2
A Person I Admire Most
GUIDELINES
Descibing A Person
When writing an essay of a description of a personality, there are a number of
points which can be included.
Introduction
Details of birth and early life
- date and place of birth
- family background
Body
Academic Background
primary education
secondary education
tertiary education
success in studies
Accomplishment
achievements made in studies and life
benefits of achievements on self, family and society
Conclusion
Relevance to the present situation
Additional notes :
The physical features or appearance
The persons personality and character
Struggles or problems
What motivates the person
Awards and recognition

54

ESSAY STRUCTURE

Introductory Paragraph Details of Birth and Early Life

Content Paragraph 1 Academic Background Primary Level

Content Paragraph 2 Academic Background Secondary Level

Content Paragraph 3 Academic Background Tertiary Level

Content Paragraph 4 Teaching Profession

Content Paragraph 5 Recipe of Success

Concluding Paragraph

MODEL ANSWER
A Person I Admire Most
Puan Ilia Natasya is a personality I admire most. She was born in Pasir
Jertih, Terengganu on 8 August 1967. Her parents home is in
near
Transnational Bus Station. She built a house in Year 2000 and now lives in Besut,
Terengganu.
When she was young, she received the primary education in Sekolah
Rendah Kebangsaan Gong Datu. The school is situated at Jalan Derdap, Jertih.
She was sent to and from school by trishaw. The man riding the trishaw, named
Abang Hassan, lived near her house. When she reached the age of eleven, her
late father, Tn. Hj. Yusof bin Karim bought her a bicycle. She cycled to school
with her good friend, Norsiah.
Pn. Ilia Natasya obtained a good result in Year Six and was selected to be
in the best class in Form One in Sekolah Menengah Gong Datu. The class was
One Science One. She was thankful to all her primary school teachers for
educating and teaching her to be one of brilliant students in class. She was in the
secondary school for five years. In SPM she scored an excellent result and was
offered to further studies in United Kingdom for six years. Her late father and her
teacher Pn. Hjh. Siti Aisyah encouraged her to go abroad even though she felt so
sad to be far from her family and loved ones.
As a person who wanted to grab a big opportunity in her life, she
obeyed her fathers advice and went to Lancaster, England to do A-Level for two
years. She excelled in her studies and furthered her degree in Edinburgh,
Scotland for four years. Her course is Teaching English to Speakers of Other
55

Languages (TESOL). She was fortunate to be able to learn English from English
lecturers who were the native speakers of English.
In England and Scotland, Pn. Ilia Natasya made many friends with western
and eastern students. She had many good friends from Great Britain, Africa,
Pakistan, Thailand and Europe. Foreign friends were friendly and helpful. They
always helped her to improve her English in spoken and written medium. She
also learnt many western and eastern recipes from her friends. Hongkong
students were good in making dishes like vegetable rolls (popiah), soup and stirfry chicken. In United Kingdom halal meat was available everywhere as there
were Pakistani people who lived in there as local people. She did not encounter
any serious problems when she was in United Kingdom.
After completing her studies, Pn. Ilia Natasya returned to Malaysia and
was given a post as an English teacher in a secondary school. She was inspired
to teach Terengganu students who had problems in learning English as a second
language. When she first taught for a few months, she found it quite challenging
to teach English. Many of her students did not want her to use English language
in her teaching. Instead, they preferred her to use the Direct Translation Method.
She had to learn for quite some time to cope with the situation and convince the
students that to be able to master the language, it had to be used and
familiarised. Later her students understood her way and tried to be familiar with
English as a medium of instruction and communication during English lessons.
Life was blessed when Pn. Ilia Natasya had a family of her own. Today
she is a happy married woman with four obedient and handsome sons. She is
even happier nowadays to be an English teacher at SMK Raja Undang and to
teach very hardworking and smart students. All her students are a real
inspiration to her to be productive, innovative and creative English teacher. Her
students also loved to help her when she needed a hand. Many of her students
loved to visit her at her house when she was free. She loved cooking and would
cook special dishes for her students.
Indeed Pn. Ilia Natasya is a very happy person in her life today. She is
granted everything a person would love to have in life; a splendid early life, good
education, a happy family, a good career, brilliant students and friendly teachers
as her friends, and most of all, total closeness and humble submission to Allah.
She always hopes to be granted continuous happiness and good health so that
she can always benefit other people around her and give the most she can to
make everybody happy and appreciated.

56

FACTUAL / EXPOSITORY WRITING

TIPS AND STRATEGIES
Understand what you should write
Have good knowledge on the topic
Jot down relevant points using a mind map
Arrange the points in sequence
Try to elaborate with real figures, examples, names
Points must be well explained or illustrated

QUESTION 1
Teen Smoking
GUIDELINES
You are required to write a composition which demands some knowledge
of the topic. This topic requires the students to investigate an idea, evaluate
evidence, expound on the idea and present in a clear and concise manner. It is
based on facts such as real events or happenings, real examples and real figures.
If it is on a current issue, you need to have read about it.

Dos :
Have good knowledge of the topic
Jot down the points
Define the topic and give relevant
examples
Arrange points
importance

according

to

Give relevant examples and figures

Present points clearly
Sum up accurately

57

ESSAY STRUCTURE

Introductory Paragraph What is teen smoking

Content Paragraph 1 - Who is involved and when

Content Paragraph 2 - First reason for teenagers to smoke

Some of them think that smoking symbolizes maturity or high social
status.

Content Paragraph 3 - Second reason for teenagers to smoke

Some of them want to be accepted by group peers who smoke.

Content Paragraph 4 - Third reason for teenagers to smoke

Some teenagers are deprived of parental love and attention at home.

Content Paragraph 5 The danger of smoking

Smoking is unhealthy to body and mind.

Content Paragraph 6 - First way to curb teen smoking

Parents have to give their unconditional love and care to children.

Content Paragraph 7 Second way to curb teen smoking

Parents should not give much pocket money to their children.

Content Paragraph 8 - Third way to curb teen smoking

Parent ensure that children cannot get easy access to cigarettes at home.

Content Paragraph 9 - Fourth way to curb teen smoking

Government reduces youths access to tobacco products.

Concluding Paragraph

58

MODEL ANSWER

Teen Smoking
Smoking is a social ill which is on the rise recently. It is a popular activity
among male teenagers. Cigarettes, cigars, shishas are some of the items used
for smoking. Among the items, cigarettes are the most preferable.
The activity of smoking is popular among male teenagers and adolescents.
In some places, a teenager can start smoking at a young age, as early as 11
years old. Usually teenagers who like to mix around with friends have a big
tendency to smoke.
As we know, teenagers contribute to the highest number of smoking in the
society. Young teenagers usually are smoking for a number of reasons. Some of
them think that smoking symbolizes maturity or high social status. They can
become matured and macho in the eye of friends if they smoke.
Some of them want to be accepted by group peers who smoke. Without
smoking, they are seen as old-fashioned, immature and unable to socialize well.
Once they smoke, they become addicted and have difficulties to stop. It is difficult
to convince teenagers of the dangers of smoking because generally, the effects
of smoking fatigue, headache and breathlessness are not immediately felt.
They do not realize the hazards of smoking and think that smoking does not
affect them.
Some teenagers are deprived of parental love and attention at home.
Parents who spend more time outside will leave their children insufficient of love
and care. Neglected children may find love and attention from friends outside
home. Parents absence at home may be taken as an advantage by teenagers to
go out and meet friends. Smoking activities can occur once they meet and loaf
and is the root of other social ills.
Smoking should be banned as it is unhealthy to body and mind. Cigarettes
contain dangerous chemicals such as nicotine, tar, arsenic and benzene. The
chemicals can give a negative reaction and effect to ones body and mind. The
detrimental effects of smoking on health is common knowledge. Research in
medical science has shown that smokers are more likely to suffer from diseases
of the lungs and cancer. The incidence of bronchitis, lung cancer, heart diseases
as well as oral and laryngeal cancer is resulted from smoking.
Smoking can lead to many social ills and thus has to be stopped. There
are a number of ways in which smoking problems can be reduced and eradicated.
First, parents have to give their unconditional love and care to children. Children
are sensitive and delicate, they can be easily moulded at the early age as they
are attached to parents and loved ones in the family. Parents should give love to
59

each of their children without setting any conditions and barriers. Brilliant and less
able children should be given love unconditionally.
Parents should not give much pocket money to their children. This will
reduce the tendency of buying irrelevant stuff like cigarettes. They should not let
their children spend time outside without knowing what the children are doing. In
short, children can be allowed to meet friends once in a while but with proper
supervision of the parents.
Some parents smoke. Teenagers emulate their behavior and this is easily
done when cigarettes are readily available in the house. Many youths said that
they start smoking because they were able to get their hands on cigarettes at
home. Therefore it is the role of parents to ensure that children cannot get easy
access to cigarettes at home. Perhaps smoking parents should place cigarettes
at a safe place to minimize the chance of their children getting the cigarettes.
On the part of the government, reducing youths access to tobacco
products is widely seen as a positive step toward decreasing the incidence of
teen smoking. Some programs and campaigns held include an increase in the
price of tobacco products and trying to push for a bill requiring anyone below age
to show their identification when buying cigarettes. A more effective way to curb
teenage smoking would be to have more serious concerted efforts in a
nationwide public education campaign. Educational materials, for example, those
on the dangers of smoking and tips on how to quit smoking should be widely
disseminated and made easily available. Parent teacher Association (PTA)
should play an proactive and collaborative role with the school administrators in
minimizing the problem of cigarette smoking among school students.
Teen smoking is an alarming issue which needs immediate consideration
and action. Everybody should play an active role to tackle it in order to produce
healthy young citizens.

60

QUESTION 2
Extinction Of Endangered Species
GUIDELINES
Understand the topic about extinction of wildlife.
Have good knowledge on the topic.
Give reasons for the extinction.
Give ways to minimise the extinction.
Jot down relevant points using a mind map.
Try to elaborate with real figures, examples, names.
Arrange the points in sequence.
ESSAY STRUCTURE

Introductory Paragraph - What is extinction of endangered species

Content Paragraph 1- First reason for the extinction

Poaching

Content Paragraph 2 - Second reason for the extinction

Excessive logging

Content Paragraph 3 - First way to minimize and eradicate extinction

Creating more national parks

Content Paragraph 4 - Second way to minimize and eradicate extinction

Developing public awareness in wildlife conservation

Content Paragraph 5 - Third way to minimize and eradicate extinction

Imposing stricter laws

Concluding Paragraph

61

MODEL ANSWER
Extinction Of Endangered Species
Extinction of endangered species is an alarming problem today. Many wild
animals disappear tremendously as a result of human activities. Here we would
like to discuss steps which can be taken to reduce and minimize the problem.
The main step that we should take is eradicating the activity of poaching.
Poaching is a bad activity which can destroy our wildlife as it is hunting wild
animals without permissions and licenses. Poaching is illegal as it can lead to
extinction of endangered species such as tigers, elephants, lions and many more.
If the wildlife species is extinct, our next generation will not know and see the
wildlife themselves. In the globalization era, even though everybody can surf the
internet to find out about these animals, they are still unlucky as they cannot
experience seeing the animals in a real situation. Hence we must take care of our
wildlife species.
On the other hand, excessive logging by some irresponsible loggers may
lead to imbalance in ecosystem, soil erosion and loss of fauna and flora. Some
irresponsible loggers are selfish and simply want to make profits. They do not
even think about possible consequences of their wrongdoings. When the trees
are cut off, it will affect the ecosystem and lead to global warming. Next,
excessive logging also causes landslides. Usually when trees are cut on
highlands or hilly areas, it may lead to the tendency of land slopes, soil erosions
and landslides. When landslides occur, it may cause river pollutions and can give
dangers to people. Apart from that, loss of fauna and flora is also one of the
effects of excessive logging. For instance, wild animals such as tigers, orang
utans and others will be extinct as their natural habitat is already destroyed and
diminished. As for fauna and flora, the future generation may not be able to see
rafflesia, tongkat ali, periuk kera and misai kucing anymore in the coming years.
Creating more national parks for the wildlife is one of the conservation
activities that the government can implement. By increasing the number of
national parks in every state in Malaysia, it can also maintain and increase the
number of wildlife. Apart from that, national parks can bring wildlife close to their
natural habitat. In addition, sanctuaries can also provide many knowledgeable
and experienced personnels specialized in aspects of wildlife. A superb treatment
given to wildlife in every three months can ensure the maintenance of wildlife
health conditions.
Another important way to sustain wildlife is through the governments effort
to develop public awareness in wildlife conservation. Campaigns should be
organized to educate people about the importance of the ecosystem. One
example of the implemented campaign is Love Our Flora and Fauna. In line with
this, the government, through Ministry of Education, can adopt the awareness of
young generations through learnt syllabi in schools. Subjects like Pendidikan
Sivik dan Kenegaraan can be the medium to strengthen the awareness. The
government, on the other hand, can also offer some rewards to the public who
voluntarily report any killing or smuggling of wildlife. These steps may take time to
be accepted and practised, but in the end the result will be positive and the good
intention of preserving wildlife can be achieved.
Many animals become extinct because of public demands. The animals
are killed for meat, business and medicinal purposes. Besides that, they are also
62

being smuggled out of countries for other reasons like fashion industries and as
pets. On the basis of humanity, we should protect and conserve our wildlife for
the next generation. The government should play an active and effective role in
imposing stricter laws. Those who are involved in wildlife wrongdoings should be
punished. The public, in line with the government, should work hand in hand to
be firm and not to be involved in any buying of wildlife products.
If the steps discussed earlier are seriously taken into consideration and
action, the problem of wildlife extinction can be gradually solved, and wildlife
species can still live on this earth without having the fear of being diminished.

63

ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING
TIPS / STRATEGIES
You should be able to look at both sides of the
argument as this will help you present your case better.
You should have between three to five ideas/points to
support your stand/point of view
You should support each point with ample details. Use
examples and illustrations to support your ideas/points.
Decide the order in which you want to present your
ideas. For an effective essay, begin with the most
important reason and end with one that is just as good
or convincing

QUESTION 1
Studying the literature component is useful. Do you agree?
Essay Structure
This is a six-paragraph essay. It consists of a one-paragraph introduction, a fourparagraph body and a one-paragraph conclusion.
Introductory Paragraph highlight of the statement and personal view

Content Paragraph 1 - First Supporting Argument

Studying literature component helps encourage language learning.

Content Paragraph 2 Second Supporting Argument

Literature texts expose us to variety of cultures.

Content Paragraph 3 Third Supporting Argument

Studying literature improve our thinking skills.

Content Paragraph 4 Fourth Supporting Argument

Studying literature gives a better understanding of mankind.
64

Concluding Paragraph
Studying literature removes impediments and offers incredible wealth of
knowledge.

MODEL ANSWER
Studying the literature component is useful. Do you agree?
The literature component was made part of the Malaysian school
curriculum in 2000. This move was seen as vital as literature has untold benefits
for language learners. I strongly believe that studying the literature component is
useful because it helps promote language learning, exposes students to a variety
of cultures, improves thinking skills and gives us a better understanding of
mankind.
To begin with, studying the literature component helps encourage
language learning. Literature texts, be they poems, short stories or novels, can
be used to teach grammar and vocabulary. Grammar and vocabulary exercises
generated from literature texts are more interesting and motivating. They not only
help us improve our understanding of the language but also help us learn new
ways of using language. Exposure to new words, interesting phrases and literary
devices such as metaphors, similes and personification show us how language
can be used creatively. By learning the various literary devices we can even
create our own examples of such devices.
Next, it cannot be denied that literature texts expose us to a variety of
cultures. The short stories and poems studied in Form Four are written by foreign
and local writers and through these texts we learn to understand and appreciate
cultures and ideologies which are not similar to ours. The poem Monsoon History,
for instance, exposes us to the Baba Nyonya culture. The short story The
Drovers Wife exposes us to the hardships of people who live in the Australian
bush. Looking for a Rain God, which is based on a true story, exposes us to the
hardships faced by the people in Botswana and how one family in particular
succumbs to the old practice of ritual killing. These and the other texts expose us
to the lives of different people across the continents and also their ways of
dealing with circumstances. The authors force us to explore our beliefs and those
of other people and by doing so we are able to understand people of other
cultures.
Moreover, studying literature also helps us improve our thinking skills.
When we actively engage with literature texts, we are forced to think about
characters, themes and issues raised by the author or poet. We learn to gather
information not only from the text but also from our own observations,
experiences, and reflections as well as those of others. We learn to view things
from different perspectives. All these help develop our critical thinking skills.
Finally, literature gives us a better understanding of mankind. Great
authors have, over the centuries, conveyed their insights into human nature
through an amazing assortment of characters from all walks of life engaged in a
variety of activities. These characters, from the virtuous to the despicable, help us
65

understand the people around us. We might recognise some women around us
who are materialistic like Mathilde from The Necklace or cruel like Ravis
stepmother in The Return. Seeing such similarities can help us to understand and
accept other people.
We cannot deny that there are immense benefits to be reaped from
studying the literature component and Education Ministry should be lauded for
making a wise decision to include it in the English Language syllabus. Someone
once said, A man who does not read or reads little or reads only trash, is a
person with an impediment. Literature texts, be they classics or modern texts,
help remove these impediments. They are living texts and we should not overlook
the incredible wealth they offer us. The above essay is convincing because the
writer has presented and argued his case well.

QUESTION 2
Co-curricular activities help academic excellence. Discuss.
GUIDELINES
If the topic underlines a discussion of the statement, present both the
positive and negative sides of the statement.
Present the personal opinion in the conclusion.

ESSAY STRUCTURE

Introductory Paragraph Highlight of statement with reference to

advantages and disadvantages of co-curricular activities

Content Paragraph 1 First Advantage

Co-curricular activities involve students physical and cognitive abilities.

Content Paragraph 2 Second Advantage

66

Students who are involved in co-curricular activities are less likely to have
time to do unnecessary and unbeneficial activities.

Content Paragraph 3 Third Advantage

Co-curricular activities offer knowledge and skills to students.

Content Paragraph 4 First Disadvantage

Some students may have the feeling that their achievements in cocurricular activities are an asset to pursue life after schooling.

Content Paragraph 5 Second Disadvantage

Too many co-curricular activities can make students lose focus on their
studies as they may feel tired and restless.

Content Paragraph 6 Third Disadvantage

Some active school clubs, societies and uniform bodies organize frequent
meetings more than once a week.

Concluding Paragraph
In my opinion, co-curricular activities are advantageous and beneficial to
students in variety of aspects.

67

MODEL ANSWER

Co-Curricular Activities Help Academic Excellence. Discuss.

Co-curricular activities today are important and should be participated by
all healthy and able students. Involving in the activities are associated with the
tendency to excel in academic achievements. Here I would like to discuss the
statement with reference to advantages and disadvantages of co-curricular
activities to students. My personal opinion will sum-up the discussion in the
conclusion.
Co-curricular activities involve students physical and cognitive abilities.
They require students to use their stamina and thinking, and therefore are good
for the growth and maintenance of health. Outdoor activities or games like
badminton, netball, football and volleyball require physical strengths of students.
They also have to use thinking skills in planning appropriate strategies to control
the games and opposing players. Indoor activities like chess, essay writing,
impromptu speech, public speaking and quizzes engage students cognitive
abilities and skills. Students who are involved in co-curricular activities are less
likely to fall sick and be absent from school. They usually are strong, active and
cheerful. Healthy students will enjoy and become engaged in classroom activities
more productively.
Students who are involved in co-curricular activities are less likely to have
time to do unnecessary and unbeneficial activities. Loafing, smoking, dating or
speeding on roads are social ills which should not be committed by teenagers
particularly students. When students are occupied with co-curricular activities
after daily lessons, they have no time for the unnecessary activities. They also
see and have a sense of purpose in what they want to do. Free time is used to
make sufficient preparation for the activities, contests or competitions.
Co-curricular activities offer knowledge and skills to students. In order to
be involved in the activities, students have to understand rules and instructions.
When they are involved in the activities, their teacher trainers will teach them
strategies and skills to master the games and activities. Through training and
hands-on activities, students are able to obtain more knowledge about the
activities which they may not get in daily lessons. Knowing more in a bonus to a
person and is an advantage to the existing knowledge. The extra knowledge can
be used later in students life once they have completed their studies. For
example, a student who is involved in netball game can use the knowledge and
skills as a netball trainer later in her life.
Some students may have the feeling that their achievements in cocurricular activities are an asset to pursue life after schooling. Some of them may
already have been booked by certain agencies to work with them after they finish
schooling. Students who have less interests in studies may use this as escapism
for them not to study hard and pass exams with flying colours.
68

Too many co-curricular activities can make students lose focus on their
studies as they may feel tired and restless. Some students are already occupied
with extensive lessons and extra classes after daily classes. Co-curricular
activities take additional time of students free time and can be very taxing. By the
end of the day students may already feel exhausted and have no concentration
and energy to do homework or study at home. What is worse is when they use
the night time they have to complete homework and do revision, they may have
less sleep and go to school the next day with low interest and enthusiasm.
Some active school clubs, societies or uniform bodies organise meetings
more than once a week so that activities or tasks assigned to members can be
completed before the deadline. Additional time require students to spend more
time at school, thus limit the time they should spend at home for completion of
homework or coursework.
In my opinion, co-curricular activities are advantageous and beneficial to
students in variety of aspects. Students have to learn a good time management
in order to have balanced activities which are not only academic-based but also
skill-based. Skills like speaking can be polished and enriched by means of active
involvements in verbal competitions or activities, i.e. debate, impromptu speech,
public speaking. It is only by participating actively in co-curricular activities which
can build a student into a strong person inside and out.

69

SUMMARY
WRITING

70

Summarise
Your Way
To
Success!

71

Introduction

Summary writing is a type of skill to test your ability to shorten a piece of

information. Apart from that, it is also to see whether you are able to identify the
important ideas to be selected in your summary. Not only that, summary writing
does not include the main points only. You have to make sure that you identify
the topic of the text you are dealing with, then the main ideas. You should also
look out for important supporting details because these details both support
and give more information to the topic and main ideas in your summary.

Remember
these
elements
in
summary writing...
The topic, main ideas & supporting
details!

NEXT...
Analyse the question.
Identify the summary task.
Look for key words/phrases,
main ideas & relevant details.
Use the ten introductory words given.
Try to use own words (if possible).
Add own words.

72

Why is it important to use the ten words given?

The ten introductory words

lead to the 1st summary point
tenses
correct pronoun/pronouns to be used, for example:1. Men were moving about in the distance but to me
(they/them/their/themselves)
(I/my/mine/myself)
2 There are many people living in the cities today because
(present tense) (they/them/their/themselves)

Check this out!

TASK: Summarize the danger faced by Sanjay.
Begin your summary with Sanjay was in great danger when he saw the tiger
Sanjay was in great danger when he saw the tiger
(past tense)
(his/him/himself)
(it)

Sanjay half-heard, half saw the tiger circling back past him.
Then it stopped. It had cut him off from any escape back to
the village. Sanjay looked around for any trees to climb.
There were none within 50 metres. There was no way to
save himself.

73

The summary points are as follows:

Sanjay half-heard,half saw the tiger circling
back past him (point 1). Then it stopped. It had cut him
off from any escape (point 2) back to the village.Sanjay
looked around for any trees to climb. There were
none within 50 metres (point 3). There was no way to
save himself (point 4).

Now write your summary!

Sanjay was in great danger when he saw the tiger
circling back past him. It had prevented him from
escaping. He searched for trees to climb but could
not find any around him. Sadly, he could not save
himself from the tiger.

In the SPM examination, summary is marked based on:

Content (summary points)
10 marks
Style and presentation - (i) paraphrase
(ii) use of English
Total :

Note:
74

5 marks
15 marks

The Style & Presentation Descriptors below are for teachers to use as a
guide in marking their students summary writing.
STYLE AND PRESENTATION DESCRIPTORS
Mark

PARAPHRASE
attempt to rephrase text
language
expression is secure
allow phrases from text
which are difficult to
substitute

Mark

attempt to rephrase text

free from stretches of
concentrated lifting
expression is generally
sound

intelligent and selective

lifting
limited attempt to rephrase text

wholesale copying of text

material but not a
complete transcript of the
original
attempt to substitute own
language but limited to
single word expression
only
irrelevant sections of text
are more frequent

more of less a complete

transcript of text
originality is barely
noticeable
random transcription of
irrelevant sections of text

75

USE OF ENGLISH
language is accurate
varied sentence structures
marked ability to use
original complex syntax
outside text structures
accurate punctuation and
spelling
language is almost accurate
some variation of sentences
ability to use original
complex structures
punctuation is accurate
spelling is mostly accurate
language is largely accurate
mostly simple structures
sentences are generally
lifted from text
punctuation and spelling are
mostly accurate
serious errors are noticeable
but not frequent
errors in original or
ambitious vocabulary or
sentence structures
frequent serious errors
simple structures are
accurate but accuracy is not
sustained for long
simple punctuation is
usually correct
spelling is largely accurate
but mistakes in more
difficult words
irrelevant and distorted
detail will destroy sequence
heavy frequency of serious
errors impedes reading
a lot of fractured syntax
punctuation falters
frequent errors of sentence
separation

SAMPLE 1
Read the passage below and try to find the summary points based on the
task given.
Memories
1

My uncle had a moustache, a good job in the Civil Service and used to
smoke forty cigarettes a day. But when he organised day trips for our family
he used to behave like a boy. Today, seventy years later, we still talk about
the wonderful trips to the sea our uncle used to organise when we were
children.

5
He organised the trips very carefully. He used to buy the railway tickets
and write special programmes long before the day arrived so we began to
look forward to the trip. On the cover of the programme was the name of the
place we were visiting and a humorous drawing of everyone in the family.
There was even a lucky number on each programme and the winner didnt
have to carry the bags on the way home.
1
0
All through the day he organised games and competitions. In his view,
all the games had to be slightly anti-social. So if the programme said
4pm: Annual Ladies v Gentlemen football match, the match would always
take place, even if the beach was very crowded. He organised treasure
hunts, modelling competitions with seaweed, shells and bits of wood 1
from the beach, and other events. There would be a special prize for the 5
winner of every competition, usually an old sporting cup from a local junk
shop.

He made sure that there were as many people on the trip as possible,
and invited neighbours and their children as well to join the family for the
day. The fun started as soon as we left home. Even the walk down to 2
the station in the morning used to involve a game (the first person to 0
see a policeman gets a point).
One game we used to play in the car was called I know that lady.
One of us would choose someone walking along the street, and as we
approached, the driver sounded the car horn, and everybody waved. The
woman wouldnt understand why we were waving at her and would look
puzzled.
2
5
He never thought money spent on a well-organised outing was wasted.
When his wife complained about the cost of a family day out, he said, Look,
its not wasting money, its investing in memories.

76

Summary Task
Based on the passage given, summarize
the activities organised by the writers uncle and
the people involved in those activities.
Credit will be given for use of own words but care must be taken not to change
the original meaning.
Your summary must:
Be in continuous writing form (not in note form)
Use materials from lines 10 to 24
Not be longer than 130 words, including the 10 words given below
Begin your summary as follows:
For the family day trips, the writers uncle had prepared
[15
marks]
Summary Points
No.

Main Idea

Point

Games

Competitions

games had to be slightly anti-social

match at the beach (even if it was crowded)

treasure hunts

modelling competitions (with seaweed, shells and bits

of wood from the beach)
special prize for the winner of every competition

neighbours

(neighbours) children

10

the (writers) family

11

fun started as soon as they left home

12

walk down to the station in the morning

77

Supporting
Detail

13

involved a game

14

game they used to play in the car

15

was called I know that lady

Sample Summary
For the family day trips, the writers uncle had prepared games and
competitions. According to his uncle, the games had to be slightly anti-social. The
match took place at the beach even if it was crowded. Besides that, he organised
treasure hunts. There were also modelling competitions with seaweed, shells and
bits of wood from the beach. There would be a special prize for the winner of
every competition. The people involved in those activities are neighbours and
their children, plus the writers own family. The fun started as soon as they left
home. Their walk down to the station in the morning already involved a game.
They even played a game in the car which was called I know that lady.
(122 words)

78

SAMPLE 2
Read the passage below and try to find the summary points based on the
task given.
Chocolate
1

Chocolate first came from Central America. The Aztecs used the cocoa
bean as a form of money. According to H. H. Bancroft, who was a
historian, four beans bought some vegetables, ten bens bought a woman
and a slave cost 100.

2
The explorer Cortes was the first person to bring chocolate to
Europe. He presented it to the Spanish Royal Court in Madrid and
served it with herbs and pepper. Soon it became very fashionable to
drink it mixed with sugar and vanilla and drunk warm.

3
Coenrad van Houten, who was Dutch, was the first person to
extract the cocoa butter from the cocoa bean in 1827.
4

10
In 1847, Joseph Fry, who lived in England, mixed the cocoa butter
with other ingredients to make a solid chocolate bar.

5
Daniel Peter, who was a confectioner in Switzerland, invented milk
chocolate in the 1870s. Henri Nestl developed the process.
6
The cocoa tree originally comes from the Amazon rainforests.
Brazil, West Africa and Ecuador now produce most of the 1.5 milliontonne world cocoa crop.

15

7
The Mexicans put chocolate in savoury dishes. They serve mole,
which is a kind of chocolate sauce, with roast chicken.
8
9
10
11

12
13

It takes all the beans from one cocoa tree to make 500g of
chocolate.

20

In Britain, people spend an average of 98p a week on chocolate.

Women, who buy more than two-thirds of the chocolate, eat less than 40
per cent.
An average British person eats between 8.5 9.5 kg a year, except the
Scots, who eat 30 per cent more.

25

Chocolate
contains
small
amounts
of
the
chemical
phenylethylamine, which is also naturally present in the brain, and
which gives us the same feeling as when we fall in love.
The worlds largest chocolate model was a 10 m by 5 m representation
of the Olympic Centre in Barcelona.
79

30

In 1980, the Swiss police arrested a young couple because they were
trying to sell chocolate secrets to foreign powers. They offered the recipes
for 40 different chocolates to the Soviet and Chinese embassies.
Summary Task
Based on the passage given, summarise the interesting facts about chocolate.
Credit will be given for use of own words but care must be taken not to change
the original meaning.
Your summary must:
be in continuous writing form (not in note form)
use materials from lines 1 to 26
not be longer than 130 words, including the 10 words given below
Begin your summary as follows:
Chocolate originated from Central America and historically the Aztecs
used
[15 marks]
Summary Points
No.

Main Idea

Point

cocoa beans as a form of money

the explorer Cortez was the first person to bring

chocolate to Europe
presented it to the Spanish Royal Court in Madrid

Coenrad van Houten, (who was Dutch) first person to

extract the cocoa butter from the cocoa bean (in 1827.)
Joseph Fry, (who lived in England), mixed the cocoa
butter with other ingredients to
make
a
solid
chocolate bar.
Daniel Peter, (who was a confectioner in Switzerland),
invented milk chocolate
Henri Nestl developed the process

cocoa tree originally comes from the Amazon rainforests

Brazil, West Africa and Ecuador produce (most of the)

1.5 million-tonne world
cocoa crop.
Mexicans put chocolate in savoury dishes

It takes all the beans from one cocoa tree to make 500g
of chocolate.

3
4
5
6

10
11

80

Supporting
Detail

12
13

Chocolate contains small amounts of the chemical

phenylethylamine
naturally present in the brain

14

the same feeling as when we fall in love.

Sample Summary
Chocolate originated from Central America and historically the Aztecs
used cocoa beans as money. The explorer Cortez was the first person to bring
chocolate to Europe and presented it to the Spanish Royal Court in Madrid. In
1827, Coenrad van Houten was the first person to extract the cocoa butter from
the cocoa bean. Joseph Fry mixed the cocoa butter with other ingredients to
make a solid chocolate bar. Daniel Peter invented milk chocolate. Henri Nestl
developed the process. The cocoa tree originally comes from the Amazon
rainforests. Brazil, West Africa and Ecuador produce 1.5 million-tonne world
cocoa crop. The Mexicans put chocolate in savoury dishes. It takes all the beans
from one cocoa tree to make 500g of chocolate. Chocolate contains small
amounts of the chemical phenylethylamine.
(128 words)

81

SAMPLE 3
Read the passage below and try to find the summary points based on the
task given.
Air crash
1

I began to feel the aircraft being thrown about. Everyone was visibly
shaken and I was certainly no exception. We were jolted to our senses by the
pilots voice over the loudspeaker. In a clear, level voice, he assured us that
we were in no immediate danger and that he was taking all the necessary
precautions. Hardly a few minutes elapsed before I heard a loud explosion.
Screams and shouts sounded from everywhere. Quite suddenly, the plane
began to pitch downwards. I could feel the air-craft spinning and falling at a
terrifying speed. All the lights went out and before I could finish saying my
prayers there was a tremendous crash and I knew no more.

When I finally regained consciousness, I found myself lying near a tree.

All around me were the lifeless bodies of my fellow passengers. A check
on my fellow passengers made me realise that I was the sole survivor. I felt
sick at the terrible sight which met my eyes. Some distance away was the
mangled air-craft which was still smouldering. Wreckage covered a large
area.

Miraculously, apart from a slight fever, I was otherwise unhurt. Since

the crash had occurred deep in the jungle, I realised that the only way out
for me was to make my way through the difficult undergrowth to the
nearest village, if there was one nearby.

After gathering whatever clothing or food that I could salvage from the
wreckage, I started out on my journey. I spent the first few days trudging
along a river. On the fourth day, I lost my way in the dense undergrowth.
By then, I had walked till I suffered from sore feet. My limited food supply
had already run out so that I had to depend on wild fruits and nuts for food.
By the seventh day, I was truly exhausted. I felt thirsty as well as dizzy.
Words alone cannot express my feelings when I spotted a village in the
distance. I had to make sure that it was not a mirage.

Thoughts of rescue and therefore safety quickened my steps towards the

village. As I approached the village, I saw a woman fetching water from a
nearby well. Everything blacked out after that.

10

15

20

25

30
When I finally regained consciousness, I found myself lying in a hospital
bed. I happily admit that I have never ever felt so much appreciation for a bed
until that moment.

82

Summary Task

Based on the passage given, summarize how the writer tried to save
himself after the air crash.
Credit will be given for use of own words but care must be taken not to
change the original meaning.

Your summary must:

be in continuous writing form (not in note form)
use materials from lines 9 to 25
not be longer than 130 words, including the 10 words given below
Begin your summary as follows:
After experiencing the terrible air crash, the writer found himself
[15
marks]
Summary Points
No.

Main Idea

Point

Supporting
Detail

lying near a tree

the lifeless bodies of my fellow passengers

I was the sole survivor

apart from a slight fever, I was otherwise unhurt

the crash had occurred deep in the jungle

make my way through the difficult undergrowth

nearest village

gathering whatever clothing or food

started out on my journey

10

spent the first few days trudging along a river

11

fourth day, I lost my way

12

I had walked till I suffered from sore feet

83

13

depend on wild fruits and nuts for food

14

seventh day, I was truly exhausted

15

thirsty as well as dizzy

16

spotted a village in the distance

.
Sample Summary
After experiencing the terrible air crash, the writer found himself lying near
a tree.
He saw the dead bodies of other passengers. He was the only survivor. Apart
from a slight fever, he was not really hurt. The plane crash happened deep in the
jungle. To save himself, he made his way through the difficult undergrowth, to get
to the nearest village. Gathering whatever clothing or food he could find, he
started out on his journey. For the first few days, he trudged along a river and on
the fourth day, he lost his way. He walked till he got sore feet. He also had to
depend on wild fruits and nuts for food. On the seventh day, he was extremely
tired but finally saw a village in the distance.
(130 words)

84

PRACTICE 1
Read the passage below and try to find the summary points based on the
task given.
Safety in houses against pest
1

Insects are a nuisance. Ants, flies, mosquitoes and those that interrupt
home life are those we are always trying to get rid off. We use insecticide
sprays, fly poison and mosquito coils. Somehow they keep coming back in
undiminished numbers, much to our disgust and discomfort.

Mosquitoes are carriers of deadly diseases, like dengue fever and

malaria. The most effective way of getting rid of them is to prevent them from
breeding. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water. The larvae that hatch spend a
good few days in water before they transform themselves in pupae and finally
to young mosquitoes. In water they are most vulnerable. So we should not
leave any water stagnant for any period of time. All vessels in and around
the house should be either overturned or burned so that water cannot collect
in them. Likewise drains and other water passages should be cleared
regularly for the same reason.

10

3
Adult mosquitoes have the habit of hiding in dark corners in and outside
the house. Thus it is a good idea to clean out these places once in a while to
ensure that these pests are not making their home there. Cobwebs and dirt
should be cleared out whenever and wherever they occur. In addition to a
mosquito-free home we would also have a spider-free home.

15

4
A spider-free home has a few advantages. Squeamish occupants will not
be compelled to scream every time they see a spider. The house will look
neat and clean. Most of all, one will not get engulfed by strands of spider
web every time one ventures into a rarely frequented corner of the house.

20

5
To prevent flies from going about their dreadful tasks, it is a simple matter
of covering all rubbish and food. If the flies cannot breed and do not have
access to ones food, then one cannot catch any disease carried by the flies.
Yet many of us do not bother with such simple preventive measures. I, for
one, prefer to have a fly-free home to eat in and to live in peace. I have seen
people literally sharing their food with flies. Such indifference can only bring
unwanted consequences. They are risking their health and well-being.

25

6
Ants and cockroaches are particularly difficult to rid off. The safest thing
to do is not to leave any edible things lying around the house. All eating
utensils should be cleaned properly and kept in cockroach proof containers.
As cockroaches thrive in filth, the house, especially the kitchen should be
kept scrupulously clean. Periodic checks should be done to ensure that ants
and cockroaches are not overrunning any neglected corner of drawers and
cabinets.
7

30

35
85

Cleanliness is the best policy here. A dirty house invites all sorts of pests.
A clean and regularly maintained house has no place for the pests to breed
and no food for them to feed on. Thus they keep away and the occupants
have a pest-free environment to live in and enjoy to the fullest.
Summary Task
Based on the passage given, write a summary on ways to keep our area and
home free from insect pests.
Credit will be given for use of own words but care must be taken not to change
the original meaning.
Your summary must:
be in continuous writing form (not in note form)
use materials from lines 5 to 34
not be longer than 130 words, including the 10 words given below
Begin your summary as follows:
The best way to get rid of mosquitoes is to ...
[15 marks]
(A) Try to identify the points in the passage and tick ( / ) to show whether
it is a main point or a supporting detail.
No.

Main Idea

Point

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
86

Supporting
Detail

Now try to write your summary.

The best way to get rid of mosquitoes is to
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87

PRACTICE 2

Read the passage below and try to find the summary points based on the
task given.
House Hunting
1

I left the hotel today at eight oclock for an early appointment with the agent, who
yesterday assured me he has found me just the house were looking for. When I
arrived he looked less convinced than I did. Even at that time of the morning, I was
already irritable and despondent as I arrived at the first address. At first I walked past
the house. Where it should have been was a wilderness of trees and overgrown
grass. Then out of the green darkness stepped the agent. Ah, there you are! Its
here, he said. I stepped in through the broken-down gate, and walked up the dusty
garden path. It immediately felt cooler and calmer. The agent rattled a large bunch of
keys, and tried several in the door, talking to himself all the time, before he exclaimed,
Ah!

10
We let ourselves in and walked into a deliciously cool, but dusty house. He
suggested I walk around by myself. I went into a gloomy living room downstairs and
switched on the light, but nothing happened. The agent heard me clicking the switch
and said, Ah! No good. The switch needs mending. Ill have an electrician repair it
immediately. I peered into the darkness and made out the shape of a window on the
far side. The agent walked over to the window and threw open the peeling shutters,
and the sunlight streamed in. A rather faded sofa and two battered armchairs sat
around an open fireplace which hinted at log fires in winter. The curtains were stripy
but more or less in shreds. Outside there was a terrace and beyond the trees, the
dense undergrowth, the tall grass and the wild plants that were once the garden, were
the mountains in the distance.

15

20

3
I walked through into what must have been a kitchen, but only recognisable
because of the antiquated equipment which I last saw during a visit to a local museum.
I turned on the tap, and once again, nothing happened. The water needs to be
reconnected. Well get the plumber to do it. Its no problem, the agent said.
4

25
Upstairs there were two bedrooms and a bathroom with low ceilings and which
were, despite being hidden in the roof, still quite cool. The bathroom had no bath and
not much room, but a beautiful view over the garden. The basin was filthy with the dirt
of the years during which the place had been unoccupied. I sat on the brass bed in the
dusty bedroom, and looked round, thinking, not bad, not bad at all. In my mind, I could
see the house with new curtains and carpets, our own furniture, which had been in
store for several months, books on the shelves, beds made up, lengthy lunches on the
terrace, endless summers and warm winters. I could do most of the work myself.

30

5
I went downstairs and the agent looked at me hopefully. It was worth the lengthy
search, the dusty visits to endless houses, the depressing inspections of grim flats, to
see his smile when I said to him, Its just what were looking for.
88

35

Summary Task
Based on the passage given, summarize the bad conditions of the house that the
writer visited.
Credit will be given for use of own words but care must be taken not to change
the original meaning.
Your summary must:
be in continuous writing form (not in note form)
use materials from lines 10 to 32
not be longer than 130 words, including the 10 words given below
Begin your summary as follows:
The agent and I entered the house but it was
[15
marks]
(B) Try to identify the points in the passage and tick ( / ) to show whether
it is a main point or a supporting detail.
No.

Main Idea

Point

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

89

Supporting
Detail

(C) Now try to write your summary.

The agent and I entered the house but it was
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___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
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90

PRACTICE 3
Read the passage below and try to find the summary points based on the
task given.
Early morning description
1

Five thirty in the morning I hear my lorry-driver neighbour starting up his

timber truck. The noise reverberates through the neighbourhood. I suppose
most, if not all, of my neighbours would be awakened by the blast of the
powerful diesel engine. For five minutes or so I lie down and listen to the
coughing of the engine before it smoothens out. After what seems an eternity
the lorry moves off and the noise grows fainter until it is heard no more. My
lorry-driver neighbour has started his daily work.

2
I rise. My brothers and sisters do the same. It is time to get ready for
school. I hear sleepy groans and see half-closed eyes heading towards the
bathroom. There is the inevitable waiting to use the bathroom. Outside the
roosters welcome the dawn. It is still dark.

10

3
Presently, we have washed ourselves and are having our breakfast.
Nobody talks very much. Each person seems preoccupied with his or her own
thoughts. Occasionally my mother comes around to make sure we are eating
properly. She is of the opinion that one cannot pay attention in class when
ones stomach is empty. There is truth in what she believes.

15

After we finish our breakfast, it is already bright outside. Some days the
rising sun resembles a huge red salted egg. It is quite a sight to behold.
Rising among the dark silhouetted buildings and coconut trees, the sun looks
as though it is consuming the buildings and trees with its way to a hot
brightness that the eyes cannot bear to look directly at. I have a bicycle with
my schoolbag hanging from my shoulder.

On the road to school, I see hundreds of school children on their way to

school too. Some are on bicycles like I am; some walk and some are in cars
and buses. Everywhere I look I see glimpses of bright blue skirts. A group of
school girls walking together is quite a distinctive sight. The colour of their
skirts stands out clearly and it is pleasant to see a sea of blue moving towards
school amidst an increasing chatter of voices and laughter.

Other road users make up the general atmosphere of the morning traffic.
Sometimes I might see an aggressive mini-bus driver weaving in and out of
traffic with total disregard for the safety of others. Shouted curses and
obscene gestures do not do any good. Only an accident or a policeman can
put a stop to the drivers irresponsible behaviour. Quite often though, the
driver turns out to be a woman. Ah well, twentieth century women are not
passive, quiet or soft. On the contrary I am sure some of them can outfight me
anytime, and I am not such a puny weakling by any standard.
91

20

25

30

35

Besides school-going children, other early risers are on their way to work. I
might meet labourers, office workers, road sweepers, newspaper delivery boys
and other workers. There is an occasional jogger dressed up in the most upto-date running gear puffing and panting his way past the others. Nobody
gives him a second look.
In the school compound, masses of children are gathered waiting for the bell
to ring. After I park my bicycle at the allotted space I join some of my friends in
our usual morning-before-lessons gossip. Once in a while I might catch
snatches of conversation from other groups of gossiping school children. I
hear words but they make no sense. We talk aimlessly, just to fill in the time.
There is a huge monotonous hum created collectively by those present.
Suddenly the bell rings. The hum changes key. The sound of shuffling feet
increases in pitch. We head towards our classroom. The daily grind is about
to begin.

92

40

45

Summary Task
Based on the passage given, write a summary about what the writer sees or
hears after getting up early in the morning.
Credit will be given for use of own words but care must be taken not to change
the original meaning.
Your summary must:
be in continuous writing form (not in note form)
use materials from lines 7 to 26
not be longer than 130 words, including the 10 words given below
Begin your summary as follows:
The writer wakes up early in the morning and he...
[15
marks]
(D) Try to identify the points in the passage and tick ( / ) to show whether
it is a main point or a supporting detail.
No.

Main Idea

Point

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

93

Supporting
Detail

(E) Now try to write your summary.

The writer wakes up early in the morning and he
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94

Literature
Component:-

The Novel

95

(SPM 1119 PAPER 2)

LITERATURE COMPONENT: THE NOVEL
Question 34:
The following are the novels studied in the literature
component in English Language.
Step By Wicked Step Anne Fine
Catch Us If You can Catherine MacPhail
The Curse Lee Su Ann
Choose any one of the novels above and answer with close
reference to the text.

96

TIPS ON HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:

PLANNING is very important in answering questions in an
examination. It helps you to organize your ideas and check
the necessary points you have made. It also guides you to a
more systematic way of writing your answer. Remember that
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!

1. FOR a question that asks you to write about a character you admire or sympathize with,
you can plan the writing by having a flow chart of the suitable characteristics like this:

97

Rory
A loving grandson

A brave boy

A high risk taker

*Took care of
his Granda
(food & medicine)

*Ran away from

Castle Street

*Ran away with

an old and sick
grandfather

*Always stayed with

Granda

*Saved Granda from

Rachnadar

*planned to take Granda

to Liverpool

Remember to focus on ONE character only.

2. FOR a question that asks you to choose an event in the novel you have studied which
you find to be the most memorable, the event can be blended whether at the beginning
of the novel, the ending or any event in the novel that you think appropriate which you
can write the answer and give relevant examples.

Remember that you have to focus on ONE event only even though an
event leads to another. Bring your focus back to the first event in the
introduction into your conclusion since that is the event you have chosen.
This is to strengthen your choice and show the summing up.

3. YOU can also make short notes or lists relevant words to plan for your answers. For
example,
98

- Granda loves Rory

- Granda has been taking care of Rory ever since his mother
passed away and his father walked out of their life.
- Granda sees the needs of Rory in schooling & goes to see the
class teacher whenever being called.
-Darren and Tyrone
- Darren gives the key of his moms caravan to Rory in the
Great Escape
- Tyrone agrees with her mother Ruby to help Rory and Granda
in their journey because he could empathise with Rory and his
Granda

GOOD LUCK!!

99

Sample
Answers

100

SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. How is the theme love shown in the novel you
have read? Support you answer with close
reference to the text.
2. Write about a character you
sympathize with/admire. Give reasons
for your choice.
3. Choose an event in the novel you have studied
which you find to be the most memorable. Give
reasons for your choice and with close reference
to the text, discuss the event.
4. Using the details from the novel that
you have studied, write about some
instances that show the character is
a determined person and how the
determination affects the people in
his/her life.
5. Describe what happens at the end of the
novel. Explain how you find the ending of the
story. Support your answer with close
reference to the text.

101

SAMPLE ANSWERS
1.

How is the theme love shown in the novel you have read? Support you answer with
close reference to the text.

1st paragraph: Introduction

I have read the novel Catch Us If You Can written by Catherine
MacPhail. It is an interesting novel. One of the main themes of the
novel is love.
2nd paragraph: point 1 + evidence
b. Love between a grandparent and a grandchild
(Evidence from text) - Granda loves Rory (Example)
- Granda has been taking care of Rory ever since his mother
passed away and his father walked out of their life.
- Granda sees the needs of Rory in schooling & goes to see the
class teacher whenever being called
3rd paragraph + evidence
c. Love between Rory and friends
( Evidence from text ) Darren and Tyrone (Example)
- Darren gives the key of his moms caravan to Rory in the
Great Escape
- Tyrone agrees with her mother Ruby to help Rory and Granda
in their journey because he could empathise with Rory and his
Granda.
4th paragraph: + evidence
d. Love (care) from the public
( Evidence from text) Rab and friends (Example)
- Rab gives shelter to Rory and Granda knowing that they are in
trouble
- Norma and her daughter, Nicola allow Rory and Granda to
stay overnight at their house.

102

5th paragraph : Conclusion

To sum up, the theme love is shown between the main character,
Rory and the people surrounding him that is his grandfather, his best friend,
Darren and the new friends like Tyrone and his family, Rab and friends. It is true
that Love does not count and A friend in need is a friend indeed!
2.

Write about a character you sympathize with/admire. Give reasons for your choice.

1st paragraph: Introduction

From the novel Catch Us If You Can written by Catherine MacPhail, the
character I sympathize with/admire is Rory. There are many reasons why I
choose him.
2nd paragraph: point 1 + evidence
The first reason I choose Rory is because he was a loving grandson. Ever
since his grandfather had not been well, Rory took care of almost everything. He
would make sure that Granda took his medicine every day. He would also buy
food for Granda during his school lunch break. To Rory, Granda was everything
and he loved his grandfather very much because after his mother died, Granda
was the only person who brought him up.
3rd paragraph + evidence
Another reason is because Rory was a brave boy and acted like a savior
to his grandfather. First, when he knew that his grandfather would not last long at
Rachnadar, the resting home, he planned an escape for both f them. He ran
away from the orphanage in Castle Street and saved his grandfather from
Rachnadar. This shows that Rory is brave and cared very much of his
grandfather.
4th paragraph: + evidence
In addition, Rory is also a high risk taker because he ran away with an old
and sick grandfather. His plan almost cost him his grandfathers life when at one
point, his grandfather collapsed and fainted while they were escaping from a
house of Rabs friend, Norma. He received the news from Nicola, Normas
daughter that her mother had gone to the police to report their where about.
Therefore, Rory and Granda ran away again. He planned to take his grandfather
to Liverpool with an intention to reunite with his long lost father.
5th paragraph : Conclusion
Based on the reasons and evidence from the novel, I really sympathize
with/admire Rory. From the beginning until the end of the story, he had to face
so many problems. However, in the end he managed to save both himself and
his beloved Granda. He was also united with his own father and his family.

103

3. Choose an event in the novel you have studied which you find to be the most
memorable. Give reasons for your choice and with close reference to the text,
discuss the event.

1st paragraph: Introduction

The novel I have studied is Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail
and I find the most memorable event is when Rory and his Granda had to go
away from Darrens mothers caravan after Darren sent him a message telling
him that the authority had known where Rory and his Granda were.
2nd paragraph: point 1 + evidence
It is a memorable event because from there Rory and Granda started to
have more interesting adventures. For instance, Rory had to urge his grandfather
to move faster and in doing so, he could see it was very funny because Granda
was trying hard not to show his panic. Granda was also forgetting his shoes
which Rory had to shove the shoes to his feet while wrapping his coat and scarf
around him and also buttoning his jacket as well. Rory had also not forgotten his
grandfathers things including the food and warm clothes.
3rd paragraph + evidence
The event is also memorable because Rory and Granda were always alert
for the authority not to get them. He was careful not to let his grandfather lose
the way by taking and pulling his grandfathers hand at him. He also flung his
hand phone into the bushes because it would be useless to him since the phone
had run out of battery and there was no way for him to charge it.
4th paragraph: + evidence
It is a memorable event because from there Rory and Granda met more
kindhearted people who jumped in to give them a helping hand. For instance, the
man and his son, Sammy and Tyrone whom Rory and Granda met at the loch
while they were fishing the other day helped them by giving them a ride in their
caravan to get away from the camp site which was full of police and their search
party. Sammys wife Ruby gave Rory and Granda food and drinks in the journey.
This also tells us that not all strangers that we meet are bad people or unkind.
We should learn to respect people in order for people to respect us.
5th paragraph : Conclusion
In conclusion, the most memorable event from this novel is the part when
Rory and Granda got away from the caravan because this has caused them to
face more interesting adventures and encountered with some kind-hearted
people like Sammy, Ruby and Tyrone.
4. Using the details from the novel that you have studied, write about some instances that
show the character is a determined person and how the determination affects the people
in his/her life.
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1st paragraph: Introduction

From the novel I have studied, Catch Us If You Can by Catherine Macphail,
there are some instances which show that Rory is a determined person and his
determination affects some people in his life.
2nd paragraph: point 1 + evidence
Being determined, from the beginning, Rory made sure that his
grandfather was taken to the doctor for medical checkups and made certain that
Granda took his pills because his grandfather was having pneumonia and lapses
of memory which caused Granda to forget things at times. Rory had also made
sure that Granda had his meals on time which he bought from the baker every
day during his lunch time. His care and determination had caused his grandfather
to love, appreciate and adore him.
3rd paragraph + evidence
Rory is also very determined when he did not compromise his
grandfathers welfare with anything else by taking him out of Rachnadar, an
infirmary which his grandfather hated to be placed. He ran away from an
orphanage in the Castle Street and had a great escape with his grandfather. He
was very determined to make their escape a success by planning it with his good
friend, Darren. Darren felt pity and gave Rory the key to his mothers caravan and
let Rory and Granda stay in the caravan after they fled away.
4th paragraph: + evidence
Rory had also made friends with many people in his journey and those
people could see his determination to always be together with his grandfather.
Therefore, those kind hearted friends helped both of them in many ways. As a
result of his determination too, in the end, Rory could meet with his father and
saved his grandfather from a tragic situation.
5th paragraph : Conclusion
To sum up, Rorys determination has affected many people surrounding
him in a good way especially his grandfather, his friends and his own father who
finally came to his rescue and took him and Granda into a new promising life.
5. Describe what happens at the end of the novel. Explain how you find the ending of the
story. Support your answer with close reference to the text.

105

1st paragraph: Introduction

Based on the novel that I have studied, Catch Us if You Can by Catherine
MacPhail, at the end of this novel, Rory had a great shock in his life when he
thought that his grandfather was dead before he at last met his biological father
and together with his grandfather, they both reconciled with Jeff McIntosh, Rorys
father, his stepmother and his two sisters. Rory then had a happy time with his
new found family.
2nd paragraph: point 1 + evidence
When Granda fainted at the bus shelter while on their run, Rory ran away
to get help, leaving Granda at the shelter. He received a help from a stranger
who recognised him from the news on the television. He and his grandfather
were taken to the hospital but on their way, a man whom Rory thought a
policeman in plain clothes sat beside him in the patrol car and he later found out
that the man was his father.
3rd paragraph + evidence
Rory spent the next few days with his new found family while at times
visiting his grandfather who was recovering at the hospital. His fathers wife,
Karen was kind as she came and asked Rory to go and stay with them while
Granda was hospitalised. He also found out that he got two little sisters, Ronda 5,
and Ava, 3. Granda loved the granddaughters soon as he saw them even though
he was still mad at his son.
4th paragraph: + evidence
Rorys dad was an apologetic man. He asked for forgiveness from Rory
and Granda every now and then. He was sorry about leaving his son away with
his father because he could not accept the insults from his father. He asked Rory
to give him a chance to be a good father and a good son to his ailing father.
They were given a flat and helps came around every day which made him
wonder why not before? But he realized that he had found what he had looking
for.
5th paragraph : Conclusion
In conclusion, I find that the ending of the novel is a joyful one. This is
because Rory had found what he had been looking for, a family of his own and a
comfortable life for his grandfather. It is very convenient to find that Rory could
forgive everyone who had caused him pain and fear of losing hope. I am also
happy to cherish the friendships that Rory had built with the people he met along
his journey: Ruby, Sammy and Tyrone; Norma, Nicola, Annie, Rab; not forgetting
his ever good buddy, Darren.
SAMPLE ANSWER:

106

Choose an event in the novel you have studied which you find to be
the most memorable. Give reasons for your choice and with close
reference to the text, discuss the event.
The novel I have studied is Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail
and I find the most memorable event is when Rory and his Granda had to go
away from Darrens mothers caravan after Darren sent him a message telling
him that the authority had known where Rory and his Granda were.
It is a memorable event because from there Rory and Granda started to
have more interesting adventures. For instance, Rory had to urge his grandfather
to move faster and in doing so, he could see it was very funny because Granda
was trying hard not to show his panic. Granda was also forgetting his shoes
which Rory had to shove the shoes to his feet while wrapping his coat and scarf
around him and also buttoning his jacket as well. Rory had also not forgotten his
grandfathers things including the food and warm clothes.
The event is also memorable because Rory and Granda were always alert
for the authority not to get them. He was careful not to let his grandfather lose
the way by taking and pulling his grandfathers hand at him. He also flung his
hand phone into the bushes because it would be useless to him since the phone
had run out of battery and there was no way for him to charge it.
It is a memorable event because from there Rory and Granda met more
kind-hearted people who jumped in to give them a helping hand. For instance,
the man and his son, Sammy and Tyrone whom Rory and Granda met at the loch
while they were fishing the other day helped them by giving them a ride in their
caravan to get away from the camp site which was full of police and their search
party. Sammys wife Ruby gave Rory and Granda food and drinks in the journey.
This also tells us that not all strangers that we meet are bad people or unkind.
We should learn to respect people in order for people to respect us.
In conclusion, the most memorable event from this novel is the part when
Rory and Granda got away from the caravan because this has caused them to
face more interesting adventures and encountered with some kind-hearted
people like Sammy, Ruby and Tyrone.

107

ANSWER FOR PRACTICE 1

Note:
(M)
(S)

Main Idea
Supporting detail

Summary Points
1.
2.
3.
(M)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

prevent them from breeding (M)

we should not leave any water stagnant (M)
All vessels in and around the house should be either overturned or burned

so that water cannot collect in them (S)

drains and other water passages should be cleared regularly (M)
dark corners in and outside the house (M)
clean out these places once in a while (M)
to ensure that these pests are not making their home there (S)
cobwebs and dirt should be cleared out (M)
cover all rubbish and food (M)
so that one cannot catch any disease carried by the flies (S)
not to leave any edible things lying around the house (M)
All eating utensils should be cleaned properly and kept in cockroach
proof containers (M)
14.
periodic checks should be done (M)
15.
to ensure that ants and cockroaches are not overrunning any neglected
corner of
drawers and cabinets. (S)

Sample Summary
The best way to get rid of mosquitoes is to prevent them from breeding.
First, do not leave any water stagnant. Second, all vessels in and around the
house should be either overturned or burned so that water cannot collect in them.
Third, clear drains and other water passages regularly. Next, clean out dark
corners in and outside the house occasionally to ensure that these pests are not
breeding there. Then, cobwebs and dirt should be cleared out. Also cover all
rubbish and food so that we cannot catch any disease carried by the flies. Do not
leave any edible things lying around the house. Ensure all eating utensils are
cleaned properly and kept in cockroach proof containers. Finally, periodic checks
should be done to keep out ants and cockroaches.
108

(130 words)
ANSWER FOR PRACTICE 2
Note:
(N)
(S)

Main Idea
Supporting detail

Summary Points
1. dusty (M)
2. gloomy living room downstairs (M)
3. switched on the light but nothing happen (switch needs mending) (M)
4. agent walked over to the window and threw open the peeling shutters (M)
5. rather faded sofa (M)
6. two battered armchairs (M)
7. curtains were (stripy but) more or less in shreds (M)
8. kitchen, but antiquated equipment (M)
9. I turned on the tap, (and once again), nothing happened (M)
10. water needs to be reconnected (S)
11. upstairs there were two bedrooms and a bathroom (S)
12. bathroom had no bath (M)
13. not much room (M)
14. basin was filthy with the dirt (of the years during which the place had been
unoccupied) (M)
15. the dusty bedroom (M)
Sample Summary
The agent and I entered the house but it was dusty. The living room
downstairs was gloomy. Furthermore, when I switched on the light, nothing
happened and the agent said the switch needed mending. He threw open the
window but it had peeling shutters.
There was a rather faded sofa and two battered armchairs. The curtains were
stripy but more or less in shreds. The kitchen had antiquated equipment. Then,
when I turned on the tap, nothing happened. The agent said that the water
needed to be reconnected. Upstairs, there were two bedrooms and a
bathroom but it had no bath and also not much room. The basin was filthy
with the dirt of the years during which the place had been unoccupied. The
bedroom was also dusty.
(128 words)
109

ANSWER FOR PRACTICE 3

Note:
(O)
(S)

Main Idea
Supporting detail

Summary Points
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

hear sleepy groans (M)

see half-closed eyes heading towards the bathroom. (M)
outside the roosters welcome the dawn (M)
after we finish our breakfast, it is already bright outside (M)
it is quite a sight to behold (S)
rising among the dark silhouetted buildings and coconut trees, (S)
the sun looks as though it is consuming the buildings and trees with its
way to a hot brightness (M)
8. on the road to school, I see hundreds of school children (M)
9. some are on bicycles (M)
10. some walk (M)
11. some are in cars and buses (M)
12. everywhere I look I see glimpses of bright blue skirts. (M)
13. a group of school girls walking together is quite a distinctive sight. (M)
14. The colour of their skirts stands out clearly (M)
15. an increasing chatter of voices and laughter (M)
Sample Summary
The writer wakes up early in the morning and he hears sleepy groans and
sees half-closed eyes heading towards the bathroom.

Outside the roosters

welcome the dawn. After breakfast, it is already bright outside and quite a sight to
behold. Rising among the dark silhouetted buildings and coconut trees, the sun
looks as if it is eating up the buildings and trees with its hot brightness. On the
way to school, I see hundreds of school children. Some are on bicycles, others
walk or are in cars and buses. I look around me and see bright blue skirts of a
group of school girls walking together. It is quite a distinctive sight. The colour of
their skirts is striking. There is also an increasing chatter of voices and laughter.
(129 words)

110